WORLD OF ART, School for curators and
critics of contemporary art,
Year 14
4. 4.
Exhibition

April 4–May 5, 2013
Škuc Gallery, Stari trg 21, Ljubljana

You are cordially invited to the opening of the exhibition on Thursday, April 4, at 8 pm at Škuc Gallery.

Artists: Vid Avdič Batista, Mirjana Batinić, Simon Hudolin Salči (Small but dangers), Neža Jurman, Gal Košnik, Tejka Pezdirc, Tjaša Pogačar Podgornik, Nika Rupnik, Matej Stupica, Andrej Škufca, Tadej Vaukman, Staš Vrenko

Curators: Maja Alibegović, Maja Antončič, Lenka Đorojević, Jasna Jernejšek, Miha Kelemina, Nina Skumavc, Denis Volk

Tutors: Miran Mohar, Nevenka Šivavec
Head of the school: Saša Nabergoj
Coordinator: Simona Žvanut
Graphic design for the exhibition 4. 4.: Matjaž Komel, Anže Pintar

The end of year exhibition of participants of the World of Art school for curators and critics of contemporary art focuses on exploring new works of contemporary visual artists. With the group exhibition and their selection of artists, which mainly features work by students and recent graduates of the Ljubljana Academy of Fine Arts and Design and some other art schools, the curators present their view of the current condition of society and culture. The artists examine their own position within the (art) system and the history of their immediate and wider environment. While their exploration of mechanisms of operation and expression is in-depth, it is also free and sometimes witty, thereby (un)consciously establishing their parallel models and systems.

The works are in various media (sound and visual installation, video, sculpture, photography); through their messages and by communicating with other works and the exhibition space, they examine the autonomy of art, the works of art and the artist as creator.

One of the concepts explored by the curators - considering the works, artists and the historical role of Škuc Gallery - is the transformation of the premises and establishment of dialectics between individual works. The exhibition is also obviously a product of collaboration between artists and curators.

The curators surveyed the works of emerging artists, which is an important, yet rare process. This led them to several conceptual premises which are shared by all the artists, who, through repetition and the recycling of elements, materials and also artistic and social patterns of the past, examine the role of the art work and their own position in the wider discourse.

The curators also noticed recycling, in view of their observation that some historical trends which are not necessarily linked to recently emerged ‘art school practices’ have become so strong that they have become established in the consciousness of artistic creation and communication. Social patterns which have led to the need for such expression, partly repeat themselves. Therefore, the principles of work are also repeated, which includes establishing independent project rooms, self-organised activities, living in squats, exhibiting in public places, proposing initiatives to change the study environment, etc.

The key focus of many works which are based on repetition is to introduce ‘difference’ into the repetition. The title indicates that the works can be read as being current, present and contemporary, while they also establish an apparent trans-generational leap to artistic trends which have made a mark on the Slovenian art scene.

The artists examine their position within micro and macro systems; however, they do not criticise them directly, but rather through their life style and art, thus creating a unique parallel place in which they consciously include their current collaborators. This can provide one of the definitions of the ‘new’ generation: in their work, they consciously or unconsciously refer to history and try to find their communication modes away from relevant art institutions, while establishing appropriate channels of communication with them. Although criticism of the current general atmosphere is based on exposing individualism and self-reference, it is evident that the artists establish relations based on collective work, cooperation and creative collaboration, even with the system itself.

The exhibition is the result of the curators’ research. It highlights issues, which can be understood as statements leading to possible changes in the organisation, working methods and creation of art in Slovenia.

World of Art curators

A catalogue of the exhibition will be published and presented at the closing of the show. Accompanying programme and the presentation of the catalogue will be announced on the website of the World of Art school.

MORE ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

Production: SCCA, Center for Contemporary Arts– Ljubljana / World of Art
Coproduction: Škuc Gallery
The exhibition is supported by:Mestna občina Ljubljana, Oddelek za kulturo, Ministrstvo za izobraževanje, znanost, kulturo in šport RS, Okolje Consulting d. o. o., Riko d. o. o., Zasebna ambulanta splošne medicine Slavko Jernejšek, dr. med., spec. spl. med., Moro & Kunst d. o. o., Banka Celje d. d., SO-RA d. o. o., Megacop Dušan Vehovar s. p., Vinakras Sežana, Vinakoper, Droga Kolinska Group, Grand Hotel Union, Slaščičarna Viki, Rayher Adria d. o. o.

Thanks to: Kapelica Gallery, P74 Gallery, Raša (Club Respect), Vitja Balžalorsky & Boštjan Simon, Bojana (DJ – Cica Mica), Matjaž (DJ Lorenzo Damentasche), Katarina Mirović STRIP CORE, Martin Lovšin, Igor Jeraj

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
SCCA – Ljubljana / World of Art (office hours: 10.00–13.00)
Head of the school: Saša Nabergoj
Coordinator: Simona Žvanut
Metelkova 6, 1000 Ljubljana, tel.: (01) 431 83 85
E-mail: svetumetnosti@scca-ljubljana.si

[Published March 29, 2013]