This year, the international media arts biennial Werkleitz Biennale has chosen the theme “Common Property / Allgemeingut” to address the cultural, social and economic conditions and consequences of the tightening of current ownership structures and property rights.

The debate on intellectual property has triggered a global controversy over private and collective property. By bringing together various approaches and aspects of artistic practice, the biennial will initiate cultural production, whereby the main focus will lie on questions relating to the access and claim to knowledge and the demand for common property.

Werkleitz Biennale Common Property/Allgemeingut will be held in Halle (Saale, Germany) from 1 to 5 September 2004.