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Description
Center and Periphery: Cultural Deserts in Eastern Europe names a new platform co-organized by tranzit.cz and OsloBiennalen. We will invite eight artists primarily from the Czech Republic and Slovakia, but also other countries from around the world in order to research and create new works which through the concept of ‘cultural desert’ examine the relationship between centers and peripheries.
Cultural desert is usually defined as any place that is characterized by having a distinct lack of complexity, vibrancy, vitality, or interest in intellectual and artistic activity. However, we understand the phrase as a tool that allows one to analyze what different groups of people of different genders, classes and races understand under the term culture. It is less a designation of a particular location and more a perspective of a particular community over whether or not it has access to contemporary culture. Thus, it is a tool for how to examine various socio-economic processes such as gentrification, revitalisation, or strategies of state art funding as well as the ways in which cultural deserts appear and disappear.
During the duration of the project we will organize residencies for the invited artists and the project will culminate in an exhibition at the City Gallery Prague. Also, a series of podcasts as well as workshops involving social scientists, urbanists, architects, artists, activists, community organisers, and other experts interested in the topic will be organized. The project will culminate with an exhibition during the summer of 2022. This collaborative project will involve tranzit.cz, City Gallery Prague and OsloBiennalen.
Summary of project results
The project focused on the accessibility of artistic activities in excluded localities or groups of the population. It pointed out the disproportions in accessibility of art and artistic activities between the main centres and the peripheries. The fears about the possibility of cooperation with excluded groups, has not been met thanks to long-term cooperation. In the course of the project the problem of having to change the Norwegian partner arose, but this was also resolved.
The project has implemented a number of activities over two years. The main one was the "Libušín" residencies, which subsequently led to a summer camp and art activities for children and youth from excluded localities. There were also talks with adults and moderated discussions. It was important to give them a voice and to pay attention to their needs and ideas. There were also creative residencies in Norway, where it was possible to connect with the local art scene and gain further knowledge for community work with minorities and artistic reflection. Articles and essays published on the project website were also an outcome. The direct artistic output was several artist residencies in the Czech Republic. These artists created works that were subsequently presented in the exhibition In the Matter of Art in 2022. It is also necessary to mention the podcast series Raut, which was one of the most successful communication and media outputs for tranzit.cz.
The main aktivity was an exhibition Matter of Art, which was visited by about 1100 people. The exhibition reflected i.e. the position of excluded people. The event was well received by the public and also received considerable media coverage. Contemporary social issues and their connection to artistic reflection were also the topic for the podcast Raut. The residency at the Libušín Neighbourhood House resulted in the acclaimed book "Hoří chemička, něco si přej", which positively received.
Summary of bilateral results
The partnership has brought an international perspective and innovative approaches that would not otherwise have been available. The Norwegian partner provided technical expertise and experience that enhanced the quality and efficiency of the project.Sharing best practices and networking was also important, leading to better connections with experts in the field. Although the Project Promoter was forced to change partners during the project due to the closure of of the original partner (OsloBienial), the new partner KunstHall Oslo fully replaced it and it was possible to complete the planned activities.The common activity was especially the shared work on the dramaturgical and curatorial concept, in which both parties were able to significantly enrich each other and provide each other with contacts on the art scene in countries. he perspective and experience of the donor country partner was very enriching and contributed to The creative residencies were also important from this point of view. At the end of the project, the Norwegian partner ensured the production of expert texts reflecting on common themes.