KUNSTLERAMBASADOR, Hordalans Kunstlercenter HKS, 28.07.2008.-10.08.2008, Bergen, Norway.

Politics and art was always our one of ours researching fields. In the beginning that was common notes and small critics expressed in our works, but mostly in humorous and satirical way. By the time, knowing the fact that politics is unavoidable, we figured out that is much better do deal with by using pragmatism metatheses and philosophy. That resulted in cultural political project called Artistambassador. Our member Samir Fejzovic with his friend Arne Rigg, artist based in Bergen, Norway, initiated project in Bergen and gave to it the same title. We got in Bergen at summer 2008, and that was great experience to see and expirience real and practical diversity between Bosnianm&Herzegovinian society which is in its transition from war to Euro-Atlantic integration, and Norway which is currently ruled by radical capitalism through workshop and collaboration with four Norwegian artist finished with exhibition in Bergen HKS gallery.

 

Excerpt from curator’s statement:

The central idea of the project “Artists as Ambassadors” is dialogue. The project is intended to bring together artists from Bergen and Sarajevo. One of the aspects which guarantee efficiency of such a meeting is the dissimilar experience of the group of artists “Vizionarsko Društvo” from Sarajevo and people from Bergen regarding life in a multicultural society. Sarajevo, which used to be part of the former Yugoslavia, provides experience of diverse ethnic and religious groups living together both in peacetime and in war.

The project also aims to encourage artwork and processes which involve and promote active participation of the public. The project initially seeks funds to provide a visit of the group of artists “Vizionarsko Društvo” to Bergen and to invite about 5 artists from Bergen to cooperate with the group in the art process the conclusion of which is an exhibition. Long-term plans also envisage a visit of artists from Bergen to Sarajevo for an equivalent project there.

The project is based on a socio-political and esthetical rationale and focuses on dialogue, cooperation and process. The project addresses promotion of dialogue to demonstrate and increase mutual understanding and knowledge of multicultural Europe today. The project also draws attention to the positive aspects of cooperation for the development of the future.

The project underlines communication – between the artists of “Vizionarsko Društvo” and local artists as well as between the artists and the public. During their stay in Bergen, the artists will work at a locality open for visitors, who will be proved with a possibility to communicate and work together with the artists. One or several paintings and other art works will be displayed in Bergen in order to encourage cooperation between the public and the artists and thus open the “harbour of visual communication”. The project will be concluded by organising a common exhibition.

 

Curated by:

Samir Fejzovic and Arne Rigg

 

Artists:

Emir kapetanovic, Muhamed Begic, Demis Sinancevic, Samir Fejzovic, Arne Rigg, Line Helen Danielsen, Rogger Gjerstad.

 

Support:

Hordaland Fylkeskommune, Bildende Kunstneres Hjelpefond, Bergen Kommune, BIKS.