The Faculty of Architecture café - canteen project
The architect Marija Milinković, M.A., assistant lecturer at the design department of the Faculty of Architecture, University of Belgrade will be talking about her experiences of developing and carrying out the Faculty of Architecture café - canteen project (73 Bulevar Kralja Aleksandra, II floor). Like many other recent architectural projects, this one too does not comply fully with the author's plan, deviating from the original idea. Smaller and/or considerable interventions by those who commissioned it and the contractors who either added or eliminated elements or content make this project an interesting and important example of the relation between expertise and practice in architecture in the time of transition.
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ANTIFASCIST ASSOCIATION - programme and legal successor of the SOCIETY FOR THE PROMOTION OF TRUTH ABOUT THE PEOPLE’S LIBERATION STRUGGLE
"Fascism is the evil that devastated out country six decades ago. We believed that this evil was dead - the nineties showed that this belief was unfounded. Fascism has proved to be resilient and able to put on the disguise of the socialist and democratic rhetoric. We cannot be at peace even today. The production of this mental poison is at full swing" - reads the notice on the site of the programme and legal successor of the Society for the Promotion of Truth about the People’s Liberation Struggle in Yugoslavia 1941-1945. The society was officially registered in 1994. Throughout the almost fifteen years of existence, its members have organized numerous activities aimed at fighting the suppression and falsification of the legacy of history and achievements of the National Liberation Struggle. The presentation and discussion will focus of the question of whether and to what extent antifascist thinking and the remembrance of the National Liberation War are possible in the conditions marked by the war and transition.
The ROG factory
Gasper Kralj - an activist and researcher in the field of social movements in Europe and Latin America who has a PhD in social anthropology will share the experience of the takeover of the former bicycle factory ROG in the context of the current situation in public art and culture-oriented and other social institutions and initiatives in Slovenia. The 7000 square-metres premises are not occupied in the ordinary sense of the word. The initiators of the project say that what they have done amounts to more of a temporary alteration of the purpose of the place. Since March 2006, ROG has been hosting non-profit, non-established political and cultural initiatives. The venue in the Ljubljana city centre and the former factory that happen to be in the focus of interest of corporate management too are suitable for different forms of public-private ownership, namely, handing over public property to private investors. In the case of ROG, the investors have promised to build an elite art centre, a luxury hotel, apartment complex, etc.
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Karl Ingar Roys - ERNA'S VIDEO
In his video titled "Erna's Video", the Norwegian artist Karl Ingar Roys analyses the production of documentaries whose aim is to inform the population of the less developed countries in Europe and worldwide of Norwegian tough immigration requirements. The films were conceived and commissioned by Erna Solberg, the former Minister of Local Government and Regional Development in the Norwegian government. Some independent media from the Balkan region also took part in their production. Karl Ingar's work consists of showing the video and organizing discussions with the members of the film crews taking part in Erna's project, as well as with the audience.
Karl Ingar Roys's works ERNA'S VIDEO and his latest video MEDIATION about the Dutch right-wing politician Geert Wilders produced during his residency in Rotterdam will be displayed at REX from 5 June.
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Open road E-761 (Užice, Požega, Čačak, Kraljevo, RS)
Subject of this issue of the Mission Less Probable debate will be the main goals and achievements of the project E-761, such as decentralization and support for artistic and cultural scene outside cultural metropolis, networking and innovative artistic practice. present and invite debate. Open road E-761 project was realize during three years (2005-2007) in Užice, Požega, Kraljevo and Čačak and its more significant results have been presented in these cities as a part of the closing exhibitions. After brief presentation of the project, participants in the debate, representatives of organizations that have conducted the project, final users – artists and workers in culture from cities in which project took place as well as representatives of Belgrade organizations and citizens associations that are dealing with the cultural and artistic production and have similar or common goals as the E-761 project.
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The cARTier project
Over the last couple of years the Vector association based in Iasi (Romania) has been working on a project consisting of a survey of cultural needs and raising the awareness of cultural and artistic events among the inhabitants of Tatarasi, one of the towns less than reputable quarters. That quarter was conceived and built in accordance with the contemporary standards that did not differ much from those present in western Europe at the time. The initiators of the project assumed that the people living in this neighbourhood had everyday problems, unfulfilled expectations and cultural needs that can be recognized and articulated through working with artists and cultural workers specializing in different areas of culture. How did the project progress? What is its outcome? The cARTier project was presented at this year's Periferic 8 biennale in Iasi.
Presentation and discussion hosted by Alexandru Bounegru, cultural worker and project coordinator and Vlad Moriaru, theoretician collaborating with Vector.
The project is carried out with the support of the European Cultural Foundation and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia
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THE ACTIVIST CONDITION
In November's edition of the Mission Less Probable project, Emma Dowling, an activist and writer in the British and German scenes, participant to numerous projects, gatherings, protests and initiatives will present her former and recent working agenda. The discussion topic will be certain activist strategies and tactics from the perspective of their goals and effects. The discussion will be introduced by Emma's presentation titled, <Activist Conditions: From Anger to Hope to Disappointment...and Back Again: Beyond Conceptions of Success and Failure>. Emma Dowling lives in London and Berlin. For many years she has been active in the counterglobalisation movement(s) and has been involved in the World and European Social Forums. A further focus of hers are migrant struggles in the context of the European no border network. She also writes about the politics and resistance, movements, governance, anticapitalism, radical pedagogy and affective labour.
Female and male activists from the region will also take part in the discussion: Jelena Miletić (Bor), Milan (Stani Pani Collective), Tadej Kurepa (anarcho syndicalist initiative), Vladimir Markovic (Labour Party)..
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Discussion about the mission of the Centre for Cultural Decontamination, Belgrade 14 years since its founding
Guest: Borka Pavicevic
After fourteen years of its continuous articulation and practical application, the concept of cultural decontamination (or decontamination of culture) is faced with the inevitability of being subjected to a review and repositioning in the contemporary social and political circumstances. The theme of the discussion with Borka Pavićević, founder and director of the centre will be the ideas, productions and discursive practices that are part of or stem from the initial concept and mission of the Centre for Cultural Decontamination.
"The Centre for Cultural Decontamination was founded in 1994 to counteract the pervasive poisons of the Milosevic regime and to strengthen the resistance of the body politic. Since then, Centre for Cultural Decontamination has organized over 2000 events: performances, exhibitions, protests, public discussions, lecture series and miscellaneous inoculations. Through cultural and social engagement, Centre for Cultural Decontamination works against nationalism, xenophobia, intolerance, hatred and fear. This has always been the place where people come to feel free. Once the first private museum of European art in the Balkans, the Veljkovic Pavilion was used as a sealed warehouse during WWII. The warehouse and outbuildings were left to ruin until 1995 when, under siege, the Centre for Cultural Decontamination began rebuilding the space, stone by stone, into a sanctuary for civil society and a symbol of cultural liberation".
Cited from: www.balkanlink.org
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ANARCHO-SYNDICALIST INITIATIVE (ASI)
A discussion with Tadej Kurepa and Ratibor Trivunac ASI is a propaganda/fighter anarchist, or more precisely anarcho-syndicalist organization founded in 2002. ASI's aim is to fight for better conditions at the workplace and better standard of living, as well as for building a society based on individual and collective freedom, equality and mutual aid, unrestrained by any kind of repression, hierarchy or domination of men over fellow human beings." The members of ASI of both sexes took part in many activities, workers' and students' protests; their publishing house CLS - Centre for Libertist Studies published a number of Marxist and anarchist books and brochures, as well as those focusing on revolutionary syndicalism, anarcho-syndicalism and related topics. Class-conscious analyses of political developments published in Direct Action magazine are also an important part of ASI's activities. Six years into their struggle and activities aimed at building a revolutionary movement based on the values of anarcho-syndicalism, the members and activists will be talking to the guests and the audience, engaging in a discussion that will revolve around the conditions and results of their work.
OPENING OF THE DOSSIER OF ŽANKA STOKIĆ TODAY
The opening of the dossier of Žanka Stokić imposes itself today as a political, cultural, research and educational imperative. After the recent court decision on her political rehabilitation that resulted from the proceedings initiated by the League for the Protection of Private Property and Human Rights, preceded by the establishment of a prestigious theatre award named after the actress, the production of a TV drama and a play about her, etc. the life and work of Žanka Stokić have become an undisputable symbol of the perception and the unfolding of both contemporary and past social and political events. The relation between artistic vocation and talent, civic morality, national dignity, politics, occupation, collaboration and crimes next door has been consigned to a kind of politically correct oblivion through coordinated activities aimed at surrounding the actress with an aura of martyrdom in an atmosphere of indiscriminate nationalist reconciliation.
“The rehabilitated individual, the late Živana - Žanka Stokić is hereby considered a person without a criminal record”, reads the statement released by the District Court that reversed the sentence of the court holding trials for crimes and offences against Serbian national honour that sentenced Žanka Stokić on 3 February 1945 for appearing as a member of Belgrade’s National Theatre in the shows “Veseljaci” and “Centrala za humor” looked on favourably by the Germans and particularly for participating in Radio Belgrade broadcasts of the daily show “Šareno popodne” throughout the Second World War occupation of the country. (Source: www.in4s.net)
The above-mentioned events and the statement of Slavenko Saletović, the director of the play “Žanka” who said “…for the things that Žanka was doing and because of which she was sentenced are the same things we are doing day in day out and will be doing in the future…” (Source: www.brodarevo.net) provided the motivation for preparing a public discussion as part of the project Mission Barely Possible meant to contribute to assessing the significance of the opening of Žanka Stokić’s dossier. All interested individuals are welcome to take part in the preparations for the debate by submitting material related to the topic, namely, uploading it at www.rex.b92.net/zs. The material can include files containing text, images, audio, press clipping and other sources of historical data, records of memories or comments. The submissions uploaded not later than 30 March will be shown and discussed during the event.
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CRNA KUĆA (BLACK HOUSE) (NOVI SAD)
In the summer of 2008, János Sugár displayed the statement Wash Your Dirty Money with My Art at the Kunsthalle in Budapest, as part of the exhibition entitled “What’s up?” Simultaneously with showing the work in question in this safe environment, he stencilled the same statement on the pavement in front of one private art-oriented institution in Budapest and on the wall of another such institution. Soon after, one of them brought legal action against Sugár for vandalizing private property. After Sugár’s exhibition at the Kunsthalle was held, he was easily identified as the artist who was responsible for these acts. He was subsequently summoned to a police station and charges were pressed against him. Sugár admitted that he was the one who sprayed the sentences, adding that he considered them to be a continuation of the work exhibited at the Kunsthalle. However, Sugár’s actions were not accepted as art by the authorities. Instead, they were qualified as vandalism. The damage was estimated at 5000 euros, which is an unexpectedly large sum, considering the relatively small surface covered by the text (40x60 cm). Sugár refused to pay such a huge sum of money and another estimate was ordered. The artist refused to pay the newly estimated sum too. He maintains he is prosecuted for an artistic act, while the owner of the establishment that took him to court refuses to acknowledge that act as art and demands that damages be paid. As Sugár’s trial continues, a new estimate of the damage is currently being made.
An interview with János Sugár in English can be found at:
www.artmargins.com.
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TANJA OSTOJIĆ "INTEGRATION IMPOSSIBLE"
At an event that accompanies the launch of her book Integration Impossible? The Politics of Migration in the Artwork of Tanja Ostojić, (Argobooks, Berlin, 2009), Tanja Ostojić will present a selection of works belonging to the three artwork series the book focuses on: Crossing Borders, Naked Life and The Roma Issue. She will be sharing with the audience her experiences of being a migrant traversing the administrative and cultural universe of Schengenia for many years now. Based on personal experiences of working with other migrants and immigration authorities and the resulting encounters and collisions with the cultural, economic and legislative principles of "Fortress Europe", the author and the audience will discuss the extent to which it is possible to share the experience of artists who enjoy a somewhat privileged position regarding the freedom of movement. The question is whether their experience can be shared or understood in relation to the European migration and integration policies in general.
Novi Pazar Multimedia Centre
MINORITY CULTURE
The project Mission Barely Possible focuses on re-examination and discussion of projects, initiatives and ideas of topical interest in the contemporary cultural and political life of Serbia, the region and Europe. The discussion “Minority Culture” was organized in collaboration with Novi Pazar-based Urban In Club.
Participants: Branka Ćurčić, art historian, programme editor at New Media Centre kuda.org, Novi Sad; Nadija Rebronja, assistant professor at State University in Novi Pazar; Snežana Baralić, head of the Department for Culture, Communications, Sport, Youth Wellbeing and the Civil Sector in the government of the town of Pančevo; Zehnija Bulić, literature teacher; Ivana Zečević, adviser at the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia; Dženan Hajrović, designer, Novi Pazar; Nebojša Milikić, programme initiator and coordinator at the REX cultural centre, Belgrade; Jasmina Fortić, assistant professor at the Novi Pazar International University, Department of Arts; Vlade Profilović, designer, Novi Pazar; Samir Hanuša, literature teacher and photographer, Novi Pazar; Djordje Radomirović, photographer, Novi Pazar and Rifat Rifatović, actor, Novi Pazar.
The project, which is a collaboration between Modern Gallery, Ljubljana, New Media Centre kuda.org, Novi Sad, non-governmental organization Urban In, Novi Pazar and PRESS to EXIT, Skopje is carried out with the support of the European Cultural Foundation and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia.
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PRESS TO EXIT, Skopje
Presentation and discussion on the project Mission Less Probable
THE MISSION OF THE MISSION LESS PROBABLE
Participants: Nebojsa Milikic (Cultural Center Rex, Belgrade), Branka Curcic and Zoran Pantelic (KUDA.org, Novi Sad), Ana Dzokic and Mark Neelen, (Stealth, NL), Jane Calovski i Hristina Ivanovska (Press to Exit, Skopje)
The Mission Less Probable focused during the last two years on the group public reexamination and informal discussions of the recent projects, works, initiatives and ideas in the cultural and political field of Serbia, SEE region and Europe. After 13 realized discussions the project itself will be now staged for the public discussion and evaluation. The introduction will be held by the project initiator and coordinator Nebojsa Milikic. He will present the discussions realized so far and the related project outcomes, after which (according to the standard project’s methodology) follows the discussion on the project’s mission, problems and impacts.
The project activities are documented through the gathering of impressions by participants in discussion. Some of such impressions collected so far you can find at project's website.
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