The focal point of the training course ‘Art as Civic Action’ was the creation and implementation of socio-political art pieces. The artists who attended the training course worked in 5 intercultural working groups to design and implement art pieces related to a current pan-European issue, which were installed in different places in Berlin. By doing so, they aimed to make the public aware of European issues by providing focal points through the city to explore issues, mobilise new players and inspire action. An exhibition following the city interventions at the Agora Collective displayed the work in a different context.
MATCH POINT
Panayota Kontodema, Athina Zotou, Natalia Liakouri, Ksenia Utievska, Lea Horvat
This installation points out the phenomenon of different kinds of discrimination in the job market. The idea behind the project views the job market as a field were social discrimination is expressed in alternative ways. Four cases of people discriminated for different reasons and in different ways were chosen. This dimension was depicted by setting our cases on a different start point to discover that the end is a Mach point. The way to present this perspective on this topic was to construct an interactive installation, where the visitor is given the chance to become a part of the narrative. These kinds of experiential exhibits seem to be more effective in transferring knowledge, information, notions or emotions. The aim was to use all possible means to challenge the visitor to get involved in the narrative and experience the anxieties and feelings expressed under a safe framework.
DON’T PEE BERLIN
Jully Acuna, Vlad Zderciuc, Radu Popovici
Are you peeing in public? Why we should feel the smell of urine in the moment you are kissing your lover in the metro station, or jogging under the bridge? To whom does the city belong?
This installation focused on the social issue of urinating in public spaces. A problem which exists in cities of all sizes. The installation was set up near the Brandenburg Gate and invited people to make a selfie with the installation, draw on it and discover more about it.
THE ARTIST IS A MIGRANT
Tajana Brkanović, Aleksandra Đorđević, Marina Lučić, Anastasia Palii, Ivana Stanojev
In the last decade, Berlin has become a hot spot for contemporary art scene that gathers both emerging and established international artists. Vibrant street art, independent galleries, growing creative sector, and studios that are cheaper than in the rest of the Western countries boosted the art scene, and placed Berlin at the top of the global artistic circuit. Lonely Planet estimates that some 10.000 international artists reside in Berlin and participate in creation of its charm. This uniqueness of Berlin is reflected on its streets, through different cultural concerns and identities represented in art works immediately visible in the public space. Berlin’s politically and historically charged image inspired many artists to leave their comments on temporary socio-political issues through graffiti art. Although drawing graffiti without permission is illegal, and the police department has a specialised division cracking down on the practice, public art is perceived as an innovation to uplift and revitalise urban communities.
The idea behind “THE ARTIST IS A MIGRANT” was to demonstrate how immigration influences art, and the way in which multiculturalism enriches art landscape. This intervention raised awareness of migrant artists and aimed to change often badly perceived role of immigrants in a society. Neukölln was chosen as a neighbourhood inhabited by many immigrant families, as its streets reflect the pressing issues of migrant community. In the frame of a city walk, interventions on already existing graffiti, with site specific art curating were implemented. The focus was on four topics: gentrification, sexism, German immigration policies and Palestine. As a conclusion, a stencil was produced, which aimed to show how it is to be left out of the picture as a non-EU immigrant in EU society.
WHAT IS GOING ON?
Darya Badyor, Kateryna Busol, Max Krause, Stanislav Vrednic, Valentyna Zalevska
(2014, interactive installation, styrofoam, rope, paper)
We live in the world of power players. It is a strongly restricted area that doesn’t allow one to know more about the issues which are slightly more important than the Royal Baby or Kim Kardashian’s wedding. This installation dealt with the issue of contemporary media coverage and consumption and invited guests to find out what is really happening by stepping out of their control zone.
ATITLO
Dimitra Margaritidou, Dmitrios Andreosoupolous, Okello Sisilia, Anna Babchuk, Valeria Barbas
A piece of video art which explored identity constructions in our environment. A product of exploration and reflection.
For more pictures from the exhibition, take a look at the gallery on our facebook page.