Bridge over time. Art in Central Europe.
Research-Educational Project
Project idea
The main goal of the project is to gather existing knowledge about contemporary art (Neo avant-garde art, Postavantgarde Art, New Media, Performative Art, Object and Installation art, Experimental Textile and Ceramics) in Central Europe not only to develop research on the art of the region as a whole, but also to take into account its unique local and national character. This will build the basis of a platform for the purpose of higher education on contemporary art in the region. In order to consolidate results, an international network of exchange and cooperation will be established between institutions, scholars and educators who work together in this field of study.
There are two purposes of the project. They involve collecting facts and their contextual interpretation as well as creating opportunities to teach the history of Central European art in a coherent manner in the entire region. The aim is to collect the knowledge which is scattered in many centers that conduct their own research on the issues of art in the regions of Central Europe or on the art of particular countries. Existing archives, research centers and scholars at various universities all conduct their own research and international exchange. However, it lacks coordination and the results of these studies should be gathered on an international level. Preparation of a factual database and a general description of the state of research results is the goal of the project. Knowledge systematization would enable a comprehensive approach to the history of the art of the region which would take into account its unique, regional character.
The research part of the project also involves further development of research methodologies and defining the directions for the contextual interpretation of the collected material. The factual elaboration allows the development of teaching methods, as the next step. Adding a course entitled "Contemporary Art in Central Europe" to the curricula of higher education institutions provides a knowledge base for the subsequent generations of researchers. It allows studies in this field, develops an awareness of the history of the region’s art and captures its continuity through the decades.
A consortium will also be created to gather the knowledge and identify gaps or unexplored issues in this domain. Joint work and meetings within the framework of the project will provide a full picture of the Central Europe’s art. Next, an editorial committee will be established. It will prepare a handbook for the subject "Contemporary Art in Central Europe". The handbook will be available as a hard copy and an online version to facilitate its use and widespread distribution. Together with the handbook, a basic curriculum for the subject will be prepared. The curriculum is a sketch or a frame which will be completed and used in individual education processes. A conference will be held periodically in the circle of the region’s countries. The aim of the conference is to constantly evaluate research results, supplement the growing knowledge and improve teaching methods.
The researched period extends from the 1960s to the fall of the Iron Curtain, with references to later continuations in the art of the 90s and after 2000. The problems of continuation between Avantgarde and Neo-Avantgarde art in the region will also be in the focus.
Photos from temporary exhibition.