UGM and ECoC Maribor 2012
UNFINISHED MODERNISATIONS / BETWEEN UTOPIA AND PRAGMATISM
Architecture and urban planning in the former Yugoslavia and the successor states
UGM | Maribor Art Gallery, Strosmayerjeva 6
10 February-22 April 2012
The presentation of architectural projects and large-scale urbanistic plannings which denote the period of (socialist) Yugoslavia is a long-expected project that will focus on the milestones and visions of the (unfinished) modernisation of cities during socialism as well as answer the questions about their role and legacy in the successor countries. The unfinished modernisations illuminates spaces that were created by the "socialist progress" in the former Yugoslavia and thus establishes what has happened with these spaces after the collapse of the common state and the disappearance of socialism. The exhibition focuses on the physical space, e.g. on the production of city or town planning respectively as one of the fundamental means of socialist modernisation; and on the role that architecture had in this production. The exhibition also interferes with symbolic spaces in which this production unfolded, such as geopolitical, cultural, economic, ideological spaces and so forth. The exhibition will present numerous architectural projects, ranging from tourist experiments on the Adriatic coastline, concepts for new cities and presentation pavilions at international exhibitions, to disreputable public edifices and historical memorials in all the former Yugoslav countries during 1948–1980. Through a new approach and audaciousness brought by the timely and political side step from modern history, it is the purpose of the project to re-examine the socialist architectural legacy of Yugoslavia and to awaken the strong and productive connections that are present at every step in the urban space of the former common state!
Production: Maribor Art Gallery + Maribor 2012/Terminal 12
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JAN FABRE / ART KEPT ME OUT OF JAIL
UGM|Maribor Art Gallery, Strossmayerjeva 6
4-27 May 2012
One of the most innovative and versatile contemporary authors, Belgian multidisciplinary artist Jan Fabre presents his works at the exhibition Art kept me out of jail! Fabre works as a performer, stage designer, choreographer, playwright and visual artist. Main characteristics of his performances are chaos and discipline, language is focused on acuteness and reserve. Fabre makes a clean break with the traditional theatrical forms by introducing so called living installations into performances and by exploring boundaries of the choreography by radical transformations of classical dance. As a playwright he uses open style, which enables dialogue between theatre, dance, opera, performance and improvisation. Fabre deals with themes such as violence, lust, beauty and erotica. Since the early 1980s he has emphasized the role of the body, explored its limitations and boundaries of conscience and imagination as well.
Production: Maribor Art Gallery + Maribor 2012/Terminal 12
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SILENT REVOLUTIONS / CONTEMPORARY DESIGN IN SLOVENIA
UGM | Maribor Art Gallery, Strosmayerjeva 6
16 June – 15 July 2012
Museum of architecture and design presents the exhibition Silent Revolutions, which comprises a selection of design that marks the first two decades of this young European country. The selected design exhibits embody the passion and obsession of individual artists, the drive, innovative development and high-quality production, ranging from the filigree turn-tables by Franc Kuzma and the seductive Black Cherry Lamps by designer Nika Zupanc to Seaway’s Greenline 33 Hybrid, the world’s first large hybrid boat, and Trimo’s Qbiss One with ArtMe modular façade systems. The exhibition also presents certain key productions from the country’s largest actors in the industry, including Elan's revolutionary series of WaveFlex skis designed in cooperation with Gigodesign studio, Alpina's Racing Elite cross-country ski boots developed in cooperation with Jure Miklavc studio, and Gorenje's Simplicity home appliance line by Gorenje Design Studio. The exhibition illustrates important or even turning-point moments in the history of Slovene design, albeit in terms of a new design mentality or new development trends. The Silent Revolutions exhibition, which brings together more than 25 selected works, is the first extensive international presentation of Slovenian product design of the last two decades. By combining economics and culture, together with concerted cooperation with government institutions active in creative industries, this project aims to represent the best of Slovene production and companies and, in so doing, raising Slovenia’s profile through industrial design.
Production: Museum of architecture and design + Maribor Art Gallery
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COMIC HEROES ARE RESCUING EUROPE
UGM | Maribor Art Gallery, Strossmayerjeva 6
16 June – 15 July 2012
The exhibition Comic Heroes are Rescuing Europe offers an insight into the history of European comics production in the twentieth century with an emphasis on Belgium, France and Slovenia. Belgium and France are the leading countries in comic book production, along with Japan and the US. The young Belgian reporter Tintin and the Gallic hero Asterix have outgrown newsapapers and booklets and become national icons that are popular all over the world. They have inspired comic book artists in Slovenia as well. Slovenian artists featured in the exhibition include Kostja Gatnik, Tomaž Lavrič, and Miki Muster. Original comic panels of authors from eight European countries will be displayed, including France, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Croatia, Serbia, United Kingdom and Slovenia. The exhibition explores the possibilities of artistic expression in comics and the diversity of stylistic approaches taken by individual authors. It does not follow the well established division between commercial and underground comics, but considers the medium as an autonomous and highly influential field of visual art.
Production: EPeKa + Maribor 2012
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BEAUTIFUL PAINTING IS BEHIND US
UGM | Maribor Art Gallery, Strossmayerjeva 6
2 August – 9 September 2012
Thirty-seven artists from France and Slovenia exhibit their most recent works, which are exceptional contemporary artistic confessions, a commentary and analysis of Man being trapped in the shackles of this complex world. The exhibition is about the power of contemporary painting which leaves no one cold and unaffected; it speaks about the generation of artists who have grown and formed themselves under the influence of television, computers, comics, film and the great classic treasure chest of art, and for whom the painting has remained a relevant medium. Each with their own expressive language the artists bear witness to the violence of the modern world. Their return to figurative art reflects a brilliant and at the same time distressing picture of our time in which numerous references to history, painting and the world in general blend into an interpretation of reality and reveal an often visionary interpretation of our contemporary myths and society.
Production: Institut Francais + Maribor 2012/Terminal 12
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REBECCA HORN & GUESTS
UGM | Maribor Art Gallery, Strosmayerjeva 6
28 September – 11 November 2012
World famous German artist Rebecca Horn is best known for her modifications of the body. Since the beginning of the 1970's she has been creating an oeuvre of performances, films, sculptures, spatial installations, drawings and photographs. In her artistic creation she explored the equilibrium between body and space, later on she replaced the human body with kinetic sculptures. Today her work is determined by reflections of mirrors, light and music. The objects used and specially made for her installations are elements of kinetic sculptures liberated from their defined materiality and transposed into ever-changing metaphors touching on mythical, literary, historical and spiritual imagery. Her works have a social, political and historical connotation. The author asks questions, seeks answers and reestablishes a dialogue with the audience. Each installation is a step towards breaking down completely the boundaries of space and time, opening up crevices to a universe, the existence of which we can only sense. Rebecca Horn’s works have been shown in solo exhibitions at leading international institutions and the artist has been distinguished on numerous occasions. In Maribor she will exhibit installations, videos and work which represent her cooperation with other artists and her students. Part of the exhibition will curate the artist herself and thus present the work of her best students.
Production: Maribor Art Gallery + Maribor 2012/Terminal 12
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ALMOST SPRING / 100 YEARS OF SLOVENIAN ART
UGM | Maribor Art Gallery, Strosmayerjeva 6
30 November 2012 – 24 February 2013
Almost Spring, 100 Years of Slovenian Art will present artwork from public and private art collectors of Slovenian visual art between 1912 - 2012 and capture symbolic as well as actual Slovenian area from Piran, Novo Mesto, Ajdovščina to Slovenj Gradec, Maribor and Murska Sobota ... The exhibition will represent significant Slovenian visual artists of the 20th and 21th century. Art work by alluring and eminent artist such as impressionists Rihard Jakopič, Matija Jama, Ivan Grohar and Matej Sternen, other giants of Slovenian art of the 20th century like Zoran Mušič, Gabrijel Stupica, Mario Pregelj, Slavko Tihec, Gustav Gnamuš and Janez Bernik, as well as most notable younger artists of the 21th century will be on display. Beside top art work the exhibition will also promote Slovenian cultural institutions and direct visitors of the European Capital of Culture 2012 towards many museums worth visiting. Presentation of the Slovenian art of the 20th and 21th century will enable diverse visitors of the European Capital of Culture a great insight into the power of Slovenian creativity.
Production: Maribor Art Gallery + Maribor 2012/Terminal 12
