[spectre] Symposium THE REINVENTION OF THE BALKANS (Kassel, October 25-26 2003)

[geert lovink]

From: "Kunsthalle Fridericianum" <petresin at fridericianum-kassel.de>
Sent: Tuesday, October 07, 2003 1:59 AM
Subject: Symposium THE REINVENTION OF THE BALKANS

THE REINVENTION OF THE BALKANS:
GEOPOLITICS, ART AND CULTURE IN SOUTH-EAST EUROPE

Symposium, October 25 - 26, 2003

The geographical area called the "Balkan" which comprises many different
linguistic as well as religious and cultural ethnical groups, states and
state like formations in South-East Europe, is the discoursive product of a
century old struggle for political influence and power and the acrimonious
conflicts of World religions and ideologies.

Discourses are functioning as double agents, they are structuring the
thinking process and the Subconscious. Cultural appreciations are outlasting
generations and the particular political systems, they are generating moral
concepts and beliefs. The "Balkan" is primarily a western invention full of
prejudices, resentments, political and cultural projections. Since a while
many female and male authors from the Balkan region are opposing this
western "Balkan"-Image with their own personal political and cultural
definitions.

The Symposium "The Reinvention of the Balkans" is trying to challenge this
western view in a most critical way and to deconstruct the
 "Balkan"-representations. By naming the western motives and interests and
releasing the "Balkan"-Images  from resentment and romanticism, the manifold
political and cultural relations between West- and South-East Europe can be
redefined. It is about time for a new discourse between equal dialog
partners.

Participants a.o.: Marina Abramovic, Sokol Beqiri, Markus Bickel, Boris
Buden, Calin Dan, Melih Fereli, Sanja Ivekovic, Hito Steyerl, Vesna Kesic,
Marina Grzinic, Zelimir Zilnik.

Conception: Marius Babias, Bojana Pejic
In cooperation with ifa, Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen, Stuttgart.

IN THE GORGES OF THE BALKANS. A REPORT.
August 30 - November 23, 2003

Presented by the Kunsthalle Fridericianum, the exhibition entitled IN THE
GORGES OF THE BALKANS is showcasing one of Europe's rapidly burgeoning art
and culture scenes: Featured are 88 artists from 12 different countries and
regions (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosova,
Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Turkey), which together
define the term "The Balkans". A comprehensive programme of events
reflecting the current situation in the countries of south-eastern Europe
also accompanies the exhibition.

Funded by Kulturstiftung des Bundes.

KUNSTHALLE FRIDERICIANUM
Friedrichsplatz 18
34117 Kassel
Telefon +49 (0)561.7 07 27 20
Fax +49 (0)561. 77 45 78
office at fridericianum-kassel.de
www.fridericianum-kassel.de


Natasa Petresin
Curator
Kunsthalle Fridericianum
Friedrichsplatz 18
34117 Kassel
Germany
tel. +49 561 7072767
fax. +49 561 774578
e. np at fridericianum-kassel.de