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Description
This multi-layered project aims to contribute to the process of redefining the roles of contemporary art and memory institutions. It will explore different possibilities of spatio-temporal storytelling in the context of a story of the iconic building of the Automatic Mills in Pardubice, which has undergone a significant transformation from a flour-milling factory to an art center during the last 10 years. Public voice and the independent art scene have played an important role in the process of this transformation.
The project aims to reflect on this role in the process of transformation and to recall and retell the story of the place in another narrative using contemporary artistic language. One of the key outputs of the project will be an exhibition, which will become the initial project of the City Gallery Pardubice in the new premises in the area of the Automatic Mills.
An important part of its preparation will be a workshop carried out in cooperation with the Norwegian partner, in which the participating artists will learn different methods of contemporary memory work.
The project will support inter-genre and international cooperation in the fields of contemporary art in the Czech Republic and Norway. It will contribute to the local and international networking of contemporary artists, it will increase their professional competencies. It will also contribute to the development of contemporary exhibition practice within the region and will open new opportunities for education and mediation of contemporary art to the public.
Summary of project results
The project fostered intellectual exchange between the Czech Republic and Norway, focusing on artistic research into the memory of place, specifically the Pardubice Automatic Mills (AM). A key output was the "Mill Island" exhibition, prepared for AM''s opening ceremony. The project also included prior research, a workshop, an LP album, and live and educational programs. The exhibition''s completion was tied to ongoing construction at AM, resulting in some schedule adjustments.
A key output of the project was a contemporary art exhibition that explored themes such as memory of place, institutional practice, and sustainability. The exhibition included a vibrant educational program and attracted 13,677 visitors, more than three times the expected number. It also received significant media attention boosting awareness of AM and the City Gallery Pardubice
The project supported cross-genre and international collaboration in contemporary art between the Czech Republic and Norway, fostering local and international networking among artists and enhancing their skills. It contributed to the development of exhibition practices in the region and created new opportunities for educating and engaging the general public with contemporary art.
Summary of bilateral results
From the beginning, the project was conceived as Czech-Norwegian. The representative of the Norwegian partner was present in the project as a co-curator throughout the implementation period. The Norwegian partner contributed its curatorial selection of participating artists to the project, and prepared the program for the workshop in Stavanger, Norway. The Norwegian partner and Norwegian artists took part in the opening ceremony of the Mill Island exhibition in Automatic Mills. The involvement of the Norwegian partner was crucial for the project. The presence of the Norwegian partner was also rewarding for the participating Czech artists - the Norwegian partner brought different views and opinions to the project. The implementation of the project led to a deepening of cooperation and consideration of other joint projects.