POR:TA TALKS #3: When Art Refused to Be Neutral

POR:TA TALKS #3 took place at Ando Living Rooftop — “When Art Refused to Be Neutral: Power, Responsibility and the Role of the Artist Today.”

This edition offered an urgent reflection on the place of art in a world shaped by political, social, and environmental tensions. In a time when neutrality is no longer an option, we examined the responsibilities that fall on artists, media, and cultural structures that shape public discourse. Drawing from diverse practices and experiences — from artistic creation to cultural production — the conversation explored the power of narrative, the social impact of art, and how creativity can (and should) position itself in response to contemporary realities.

The panel brought together:

Vanessa Ford, creative producer and cultural strategist, co-creator of Super Sema and producer of the Academy Award–nominated film Lion;

Luke Taylor, media entrepreneur, founder of COPA90 and co-founder of Bromantics, and Co-Founder of In-Depth;

Rita GT, visual artist whose practice explores memory, identity, colonial histories, and human rights, with an international trajectory.

The conversation was moderated by Patrick Walker, a media and technology consultant focused on storytelling, digital platforms, and social impact, with particular attention to ethical and responsible media practices.

It was a space for dialogue, listening, and reflection — where art asserted itself as an active force in shaping contemporary thought.