Close Stranger: promoting mutual understanding between population of Gdansk, Kaliningrad and Klaipeda through facilitation of exchange in the field of contemporary arts and culture
2013-2014
Social life is largely determined by the way, in which we make the division into "us" and "them." This division is one of the universal features of human culture – it existed in the past in hierarchical societies and between different cultures, it is also present today - in globalized society and culture. It will always exist because, as sociologists say, building human identity depends, inter alia, on including to our own group these who are "like us" and excluding those who are "different from us". It is a universal feature of human nature, regardless of time and place. In this sense, the exclusion and inclusion have positive character, because they have an empowering impact on the group – the "other", the alien" is required in order to look at him as in the mirror, to see yourself in it.
On the other hand, its effects, as a rebound, may be partly negative, while the "other", the "alien", is seen as "the enemy". Fortunately, as Zygmunt Bauman writes, the relationship between "us" and "them" may have not only antagonistic nature, but it can also be based on reciprocity. When we realize that "they" have the skills that we lack (and vice versa), the mutual exchange of services can bring benefits to both parties. It seems that the modern world is the medium through which views, values, ways of life, strategies and procedures are transmited smoothly, making the illusion that we are all the same, just a little different. From this "the same but a little different" we want to build the guiding idea of our project: that the more we are different, the more attractive we are for each other.
It is the beginning of 2013. We, partners from Kaliningrad, Gdańsk and Klaipeda, launch a joint project, on which we will work together in the two years to come. By using a meaningful clash between the notions of “our” and “alien” we will try to explore and interpret the natural or imposed prejudices, stereotypes and contradictions that inhabit our territorial neighborhood, as well as attempt to find the “common” that makes us truly close and interesting, bound by amity and sympathy. Russian, Polish and Lithuanian curators, artists, art critics, writers, journalists and experts will have to go to the core of this mythic duality that both unites and tears apart the three countries. “Are we close or are we strangers?” and how can we answer a question “What do we really know about each other?”
We come from the neighboring countries that have common historical and cultural and political bonds (up until 1945 these were the former East Prussian territories; the Kaliningrad region and the Republic of Lithuania were part of the USSR till the end of the 90. of the last century the People’s Republic of Poland and the USSR were members of the Warsaw Treaty). But as the history shows, being parts of one and the same country or neighbors did not very much contribute to our rapprochement which was all the more intensified by the ideological borders abolishing the individuality and culture of each of the nations. After the political turn, contacts on an political level left a big cognitive hole, which has not been filled by anything in spite of our geographical proximity and common historical and cultural experience. The aim of the project is to rise beyond the difficulties that sometimes occur in our historical relationships and take advantage of arts and culture, with which we work every day.
“Close stranger” is, in the first place, a research project that allows a collective analysis of what is going on today with the political and social changes in progress through art expeditions, public art projects, artistic residencies, publications, shared exhibitions, sound festivals, presentations and discussions. It is also a personal input of each participant in the generalized image of time and big territory to make it perceived in a way that it could be seen by others. This will help us make a solid thread of communication between our cities and countries and see to what extent we can share our expertise and competences to use it in jointly creation.
The project “Close Stranger: promoting mutual understanding between population of Gdansk, Kaliningrad and Klaipeda through facilitation of exchange in the field of contemporary arts and culture” is implemented by the Baltic Branch of the National Centre for Contemporary Arts, the Centre for Contemporary Arts Laznia and the Klaipeda Culture Communication Centre.
The Lithuania-Poland-Russia European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument Cross-border Cooperation Programme 2007-2013 aims at promoting economic and social development on both sides of the EU-Russian border, addressing common challenges and problems and promoting people to people co-operation. Under the Programme, legal non-profit entities from the Lithuanian and Polish border regions and the entire Kaliningrad oblast implement joint projects co-financed by the EU.
The European Union is made up of 27 Member States who have decided to gradually link together their know-how, resources and destinies. Together, during a period of enlargement of 50 years, they have built a zone of stability, democracy and sustainable development whilst maintaining cultural diversity, tolerance and individual freedoms. The European Union is committed to sharing its achievements and its values with countries and peoples beyond its borders.
“This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union under Lithuania-Poland-Russia ENPI Cross-border Cooperation Programme 2007-2013. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of CCA Laznia and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.”
Project “Close stranger” is co-financed with funds from the European Union in under Lithuania-Poland-Russia ENPI Cross-border Cooperation Programme 2007-2013.