Are these separate events connected and do they, as some suggested, signal a deeper crisis? Or do the challenges to the dominant narratives of national identity and to hitherto 'accepted' forms of governance (such as authoritarian paternalism and moral policing) signal a maturing public eager to reclaim their sovereignty?

Indonesian writer Goenawan Mohamad and artist-activist Chumpon Apisuk from Thailand together with intellectuals and arts practitioners from around the region and beyond, will begin a vital dialogue on the issue of culture and crisis.

This forum is in part the outcome of a roundtable discussion, to be held during the preceding two days, delving into the question of "art and crisis". During the roundtable, participants will have been discussing what practical steps can be taken by artists and writers within the region to prepare for the crises that periodically erupt when artworks or their interpretations come into tension with vested social, political or religious interests.

This forum should be of interest to artists, social activists and concerned citizens.

Sponsored by The Substation (Singapore), kakiseni.com, Valentine Willie Fine Art and The Actors Studio Bangsar.

Presented in connection with 'Performing Rights': The 12th Annual Conference of Performance Studies international (PSi), 15-18 June, London, UK.