In 2013 the IMPAKT Festival will investigate capitalism and the current economic crisis. Is capitalism at the root of crises or actually the driving force behind progress and prosperity? Are there alternatives for the current system or are we stuck with the rules as set by capitalism, such as ongoing growth of production and consumption?

To this day capitalism seems to be the only economic system to function, but especially since 2008 and the consecutive economical crises the faith in this complex system shrinks more and more. As the population of the world grows, energy and natural resources are running out, and we find ourselves stuck with a dilemma, a catch-22: is a system based on constant growth incapable of dealing with less production and consumption, and therefore doomed to fail?

Important sub-themes in this year’s festival include ideas on a fair division of wealth, the (in)transparency of financial markets and the growing complexity of their products, the role of the media industry in all of this and the search for alternative options.In order to approach the theme from multiple angles and perspectives IMPAKT selected three curatorial parties, representing a diverse programme: Amsterdam-based collective Monnik, British curator Benjamin Fallon and German film curator Florian Wüst.

At several locations in Utrecht, such as Theater Kikker, ’t Hoogt and BAK. IMPAKT will be present from 30 October to 3 November with lectures, workshops, fine arts, film and music. The exhibition at BAK opens prior to the festival and can be visited from 18 October until 3 November.