Connecting War and the Arts
The Pavilion of the United States is – regardless of its Wartist-specific content – certainly one of the most compelling on the 54th Venice Biennale. Designed by the artist duo Allora & Calzadilla, “Gloria” consists of six sculptural installations, often including performance. The artists skilfully discuss social aspects, from the worship of money in capitalism about dealing with war and remembrance to freedom.
Soon, THE art event of 2011 is about to begin: on 4 June, the 54th Biennale di Venezia, curated by Bice Curiger with this time’s title “ILLUMInazioni” will be opened. Again this year, critics will point out how very outdated national pavillons are in the time of globalisation. And again this year, the many national pavillons will demonstrate the different ways of (re)presenting art.
Continue reading “Don’t miss it: La Biennale di Venezia”
From 27 May until 23 June 2011, Hilger Brot-Kunsthalle in Vienna (Austria) presents “255,804 km² – Young Art from the Former Yugoslavia“, naming the size of the then-Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in its title. The exhibition assembles works from 30 artists who were born in this state that broke down in 1991-1992. This collapse led to several wars; most of their conflicts are still unresolved.
Continue reading “255.804 km² – Young Art from the Former Yugoslavia (Brot Kunsthalle, Vienna)”
Continue reading “Conference: “Tanks vs. Statues – Culture in Political Conflicts” (Tutzing)”
Continue reading “Sara Rahbar: “I have no faith left for the devil to take” (Hilger, Vienna)”
Since 29 April 2011, Berlin-based Brutto gusto presents the impressive work “Back from War” by the Belgian artist Cathy Coëz. Born in 1968 in Grenoble (France) and living in Brussels, the artist works with earthenware and porcelain since just two years: countless objects are meticulously produced and often organically arranged by her. ”Back from War“ joins her previous abstract but highly touching reflection of war.
On 5 May 2011, Kunstraum Richard Sorge will open the solo show “schlachten” with works by Jens Kloppmann. The exhibits presented address war, perception and commemoration by various ways and different materials. On show from 8 May onwards (and thus parallel to the anniversary of unconditional surrender of German forces in World War II), the exhibition will be supported by special events such as an artist’s talk on 26 May, moderated by Martin Bayer (wartist.org).
From 30 April to 9 July 2011, Berlin-based Hengesbach Gallery presents the impressive 8-mins video “we’ll become oil” by Mihai Grecu, born in 1981 in Sebeș (Romania): Attack helicopters appear in an empty desert. After flying some artistic patterns together, they suddenly crash into each other. A cut leads the film to its next scene: a massive wall of flames and thick black smoke is generated by a huge fire, obviously of burning oil. Its destructive power is supported by a both hypnotic and dark sound.
From 18 March 2011, Wartist presents photographic works by Simon Menner in the premises of the Berlin-based political consultancy republik movida GmbH. The exhibition “Furtive”, curated by Martin Bayer, will show parts of two cycles, “Camouflage” and “Murder Weapons”. Reinhold Robbe, Wehrbeauftragter des Deutschen Bundestages 2005-2010,1 will give a welcoming address.
