ART COLLECIVE: αὐτodɪkˈtaːt
The collective is built around the premise that art cannot be taught. It brings together self-taught, autodidactic artists who share the conviction that meaningful artistic practice emerges from within—through individual exploration, experimentation, and exchange within a trusted peer group rather than through formal institutions.
These institutions are not neutral. They are often embedded in a broader financial art complex in which art functions as an asset class—circulating through galleries, foundations, and collections that benefit from tax optimization, speculative valuation, and reputational laundering. Within this system, funding structures, grant mechanisms, and curatorial gatekeeping tend to reward work that is legible, market-compatible, and aligned with prevailing institutional narratives. This, in turn, subtly shapes what kind of artist is visible, fundable, and ultimately sustainable, reinforcing aesthetic and ideological conformity under the guise of cultural legitimacy.
αὐτodɪkˈtaːt positions itself deliberately outside of these structures. It prioritizes process over product, autonomy over validation, and peer exchange over hierarchical instruction. The collective’s practice evolves through ongoing dialogue, friction, and mutual influence—without the need for institutional mediation or approval.
Founded by Shermin Voshmgir (KAMIKATSE) together with Peter Backer, Kris Kind, and Mary Ocher, the collective reflects a long-standing collaboration grounded in shared skepticism toward formalized art education and the economies that surround it.
PAST PROJECTS
# AUTODIKTAT / A Video Exhibition
# Vernissage Kris Kind featuring KAMIKATSE @ Steirischer Herbst
# Was ist Kunst Panel / Dr. Kristian Stuh featuring Kamikatse
FOUNDING MEMBERS
// KRIS KIND aka Dr. Kristian Stuhl
// MARY OCHER
// Shermin Voshmgir aka KAMIKATSE
IMPRESSIONS
