24 September–30 October 2011
Opening:
23 September 2011
Artists
Damir Arsenijević, Phil Collins, Marijan Crtalić, Bojan Fajfrić, Igor Grubić, Grupa Spomenik, Nina Höchtl, Hristina Ivanoska, Adela Jušić / Lana Čmajčanin, Klopka za pionira, Vjollca Krasniqi, Marko Krojač, Sebastjan Leban / Staš Kleindienst, Marcel Mališ, Peter Mlakar / Laibach, Alban Muja, Vesna Pavlović, Jelena Petrović, Vahida Ramujkić, Dubravka Sekulić, Branimir Stojanović, Milica Tomić
Project group
Naomi Hennig, Jovana Komnenić, Arman Kulašić, Dejan Marković, Arnela Mujkanović, Katja Sudec, Anita Šurkić
Spaceship Yugoslavia–The Suspension of Time seeks to investigate the treatment of (post-) yugoslav history from a contemporary perspective. The exhibition presents artistic projects as well as theoretical positions that highlight political and socio-economic aspects of the post-Yugoslav reality. It aims to strengthen and establish critical viewpoints on the various politics of the former Yugoslav nationstates in the so-called transition to capitalism.
Since the transformation of the European socialist state systems after 1989, the political positions of the postcommunist era have negated almost every facet of the previous system as part of a totalitarian entity in an effort to legitimize their own claims for freedom regarding ethnic identity and/or private ownership.
By challenging such tendencies, the exhibition seeks to address the topic of a Socialist reality - often dismissed as “historical” - which allows the possibility of re-thinking and re-naming such reality as an alternative construction. “Evacuated” from the sphere of the private-personal, the topic will be analysed within the context of concrete political developments such as the recent or future integration of the ex-Yugoslav states into the European Union. Beyond romanticizing retrospect or established (art-)historical positions of dissidence, the NGBK exhibition presents works predominantly by younger artists. The show aims to serve as a platform for self-initiated education and as a framework for reflection, within which a range of critical perspectives on the past and the present can become manifest.
Spaceship Yugoslavia poses the question: in what way can this past be thought of and reflected on today, a past which for a younger generation is accessible only through the filter of an ideologically led public denial? To what extent could a recognition of this past possibly contribute to the conception of future realities without being caught up in nostalgia or revisionism? This question concerns more than the analysis of “historical reality” presented in former Yugoslavia today; it is also the Berlin context which lends itself to a renewed investigation into the narratives of the prevailing German unification discourse.
Spaceship Yugoslavia–The Suspension of Time invites visitors to query normative narrations and to counter them by means of meticulous research and aesthetic examination.
Press commentary
Tagesspiegel 05.11.2011 (Nadine Lange)
“Die Gruppenausstellung ‘Raumschiff Jugoslawien – Die Aufhebung der Zeit’ in der Neuen Gesellschaft für Bildende Kunst thematisiert aus aufschlussreichen Blickwinkeln die Erinnerungskultur sowie die gegenwärtigen Übergangsprozesse der post-kommunistischen Gesellschaften.”
Events:
Workshop & Diskussion moderated by Vjollca Krasniqi
September 24, 2011, 12h.
What ist the Name of War Today?
“Čega je danas ime rat?” (What is the name of war today?) is a platform which, over the past few months, has gathered translation groups in Prishtinë, Ljubljana, Maastricht, Zagreb, Tuzla, Belgrade, Mostar and Berlin. These groups have translated, discussed and distributed excerpts from the text by Cat¬herine Hass: Qu’ appelle t-on une guerre? EnquetesurIe nom de guerre aujourd’hui.
The translation groups have raised questions regarding the contemporary conception of the meaning of war. In the context of the current global and permanent war, they have also tackled and discussed the web of basic terms which contribute to understanding the war history of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Through this long-term work, Grupa Spomenik continues its research into how we can contemplate and produce space for open, critical and engaged discussion about the wars of the 1990s. It also facilitates space for the recognition of new forms of commonality, and finally – creates space for carrying out Yugoslav Studies.
Extension of “What is the Name of War Today?”
GRUPA SPOMENIK (Monument Group) and Translation Groups:
Grupa Spomenik (Damir Arsenijević, Jelena Petrović, Branimir Stojanović, Milica Tomić), Antonia Majača, Vjollca Krasniqi, Ivana Bago, Dren Berishaj, Shrpe¬sa Veliqi, Donjete Sadiku, Lidija Radojević, Katja Su¬dec, Tjaša Pogačar, Dubravka Sekulić, Žiga Testen, Dragana Jovović, Branislav Đorđević, Azra Čaušević, Lejla Osmić, Asmir Fazlić, Noa Treister, Tanja Simić Bercloz, Vida Knežević, Marko Miletić, Vladimir Mi¬ladinović, Nenad Porobić, Marija Ratković, Jovanka Vojinović, Srđan Hercigonja, Dejan Vasić, Anja Bogojević, Husein Oručević, Ronald Panza, Amila Puzić, Mili Sefić, Naomi Hennig, Jovana Komnenić, Arman Kulašić, Dejan Marković, Arnela Mujkanović, Katja Sudec, Anita Šurkić.
Supported by Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung
Workshop with Vahida Ramujkić
2 & 3 October 2011, 12-16h
Disputed Histories: My personal world history
The shift of official historical narratives that took place in ex Yugoslavia (as in many other parts of the world) at the end of the twentieth century shook our very idea of historical truth, showing us that religion, nation, ideals, identity, statehood and even personal identity are not given by God (or nature ) but are subject to variations and transformations.
While Yugoslavia’s federation was breaking into small national entities, each of those producing parallel historical narratives, the rest of Europe was going through a process of unification and removal of territorial boundaries; two processes that seem to go in opposite directions.
This workshop will address the comparative reading, interpretation and reassembly of textbooks of modern times from the territory of former Yugoslavia, and Germany (East and West) issued “before the wall, between the wall and the towers and after the towers”. It will address the linguistic, visual and literary analysis of selected materials from very personal perspectives and experiencies, creating new content using the technique of assemblage.
PLACE: NGBK, Neue Gesellschaft für Bildende Kunst, Oranienstrasse 25, 10999 Berlin
LANGUAGE: English, German, Serbo-Croatian
Participants are invited to support each other in translation and update content through their own knowledge and discussion.
Guided Tours:
Sundays, September 25, October 02, 16, 23 & 30, 2011, 17h
KOMBICAR: Sunday, 09.10.2011
Art Outreach Programme
On Sunday the 9th of October 2011 get on your marks - NGBK’s art education program Kombiticket will be revving up the Kombicar for the third time, this time running for the current exhibition „Raumschiff Jugoslawien“. Join journalist, Balkan historian and expert on (ex-) yugoslavian communities in Germany, Rüdiger Rossig, and Kombiticket’s own Catriona Shaw in the Kombicar and take part in a ride through balkanesque Berlin. We will meet prominent and lesser-known protagonists of the local ex-yugo scene in both famed and more hard-to-find locations.
Along with the organizer, the driver and the guide, the Kombicar will hold up to five additional passengers. To travel in the Kombicar, you must register - this can be done for only one of the routes. This time, however, the destinations are also open to up to 5 extra guests who wish to find their own way there - pre-registration is also obligatory.
The tour will be conducted in German, but English and former Serbo-croation translations are available.
Finally the Kombicar tour offers a very special treat:
Secret cinema “Blauen Apfel” (blue apple) in north Berlin will screen a documentary about Berlin’s ex- Jugos. Not only this, but some special culinary delights will be prepared to give people a real taste of the scene.
The final event at Blauen Apfel costs a little something: €3 to see the Film and/or €3 for the food. This event is open to a larger number of guests!
Collection points (CP) / Destinations (D):
Up to 5 passangers per route! A further 5 guests can register for the destinations (Blauen Apfel is open to more guests)
1. 13:00 - CP: NGBK, Oranienstrasse 25, Kreuzberg - D: Südost Europa Kultur e.V.
2. 14:00 - CP: Hallesches Tor U-bahn Station, opposite Amerikanische Gedenksbibilothek -
D: Rroma Café Theater
3. 15:00 - CP: Hermannstrasse, north entrance to U-Bahnhof Boddinstrasse - D: Islamski Kulturni Centar
4. 16:00 - CP: Ritterstrasse, GIDA Supermarket at Kottbusser Tor - D: Atelier Lovro Artuković
5. 17:00 - CP: Hermannplatz U-bahn, Hasenheide, in front of Pizza Delicia - D: Blauer Apfel
Filmprogramme
October 06 – 08 & 12 –14, 2011, Kino Arsenal, Potsdamer Straße 2, 10785 Berlin
YU GO Banditen (Yu Go Bandits), curated by Vedrana Madžar
Mit begleitendem Videoprogramm, curated by Nataša Tepavčević
www.arsenal-berlin.de