Moirés

International group exhibition in the context of the project transform

Artists: Andreas Fogarasi, Katya Sander, Urtica, art and media research group

The exhibition »Moirés« focuses on the relation between media and art institutions. Conceiving art institutions as well as exhibitions as specific forms of ‘media’, the exhibition intends to explore which images art institutions are expected to deliver and produce. ‘media’ reflects how the production of images and the function of art institutions have changed during the last years – being increasingly subjected to follow a corporate logic where they function like brands, for example, serve as tourist’s attractions or create images of local, regional and national identity.

This implies also the question which role art as a distinctive field of image production and art institutions as part of the public sphere can (or cannot) play in the changed landscape of media. Referring to a technical term that means a defective pattern or interference in print and electronic images, the title «Moirés» serves as a metaphor for artistic practices that both reflect these tendencies and develop their own (deviating) forms to work within and with art institutions. In doing so, they approach and explore, with artistic means, some of the most crucial topics and conditions within today’s production and distribution of contemporary art.

Along with other internationally renowned artists Katya Sander is outstanding in this context. Both a differentiated and multifaceted reflection of media structures as well as the functioning of institutions her artistic approach combines awareness for the very site and its social and cultural characteristics, analytical distinction as well as a high sense for spatiality. Following approaches in her previous works Katya Sander is invited to present and develop a piece relating also to the very site of exhibition. Knowledge of the site and its urban, social and cultural context is therefore crucial and requires the artist’s presence both for a site visit in advance for research (starting end of January) as well as during the period of installing and opening the exhibition (April 20-25).

Andreas Fogarasi, * 1977, lives in Vienna. Exhibitions (selection): 2007: 52th Venice Biennial (Golden Lion for the best national pavilion); Kunstverein Duesseldorf; European Kunsthalle, Cologne; Georg Kargl, Vienna. 2006: NGBK Berlin; Galerie Jocelyn Wolff, Paris; MAK Center, Los Angeles; Kunsthalle Nuernberg. 2005 Kuenstlerhaus Wien; Kunstverein Salzburg; TRAFO House, Budapest; Kunstverein Graz. 2004 Young Artists Biennial, Bukarest; Kunsthalle Exnergasse, Wien. 2003 rotor Graz; House of Contemporary Arts, Budapest; Palais de Tokyo, Paris; Ludwig Múzeum, Budapest; Kuenstlerhaus, Wien, Galerie im Taxispalais, Innsbruck. 2002: Manifesta 4 Frankfurt; Essor Gallery, London; ATA Center for Contemporary Art, Sofia.

Katya Sander, * 1970, lives in Copenhagen and Berlin. Selected exhibitions: 2007 DOCUMENTA 12. 2006 CCA Watts Institute, San Francisco; Kuenstlerhaus Bethanien, Berlin; “Periferic 7 Biennial for Contemporary Art”, Iasi; Artists Space, New York. 2005 Museum fuer Moderne Kunst, Vienna; Rooseum, Malmoe. 2004 Muenchner Kunstverein; Moderna Museet, Stockholm. 2003 Charlottenborg, Copenhagen; Kunstverein Wolfsburg. 2002 ISCP, New York; migros museum fuer gegenwartskunst, Zurich.

Urtica, art and media research group Founded in 1999, Urtica is specialised in the development of transdisciplinary projects that merge culture, technology, science, and education. Its work ranges from web-based artworks, media actions and short videos broadcast to the general public on television. Festivals / exhibitions: ‘Transforming Memory’ (Serbia), ‘Ars Electronica’ (Austria), ‘FILE’ (Brazil), ‘Viper’ (Switzerland), ‘Ogaki Biennial 2004’ (IAMAS, Japan); Awards: UNESCO Digital Arts Award 2003 at IAMAS, Japan (2003), Award of IV Yugoslav Biennial of the Youth, Vršac, Serbia (2000), etc. Members of Urtica: Violeta Vojvodic (1971), Eduard Balaz (1972), Daniel Stevanovic (1980).

curated by Astrid Wege in cooperation with Kunstraum der Leuphana Universitaet Lueneburg

«Moirés» is part of the EU-project ‘TRANSFORM’. ‘TRANSFORM’ intends to foster the emerging field of new institutional critique in the visual arts and to research its effects on social transformations and institutional changes and is, at present, the most distinct and renowned undertaking in this regard.

This project is being carried out within the framework of transform.eipcp.net and with support of the Culture 2000 programme of the European Union. http://transform.eipcp.net/

With the kind support of Kunstradet. Danish Arts Council.