Dejan Marković

In collaboration with Naomi Hennig, Jovana Komnenić, Arman Kulašić, Arnela Mujkanović, Katja Sudec and Anita Šurkić, 2010-2011

Spaceship Yugoslavia–The Suspension of Time seeks to investigate the treatment of (post-) Yugoslav history from a contemporary perspective. The exhibition presents artistic projects as well as theoretical positions that highlight political and socio-economic aspects of the post-Yugoslav reality. It aims to strengthen and establish critical viewpoints on the various politics of the former Yugoslav nation-states in the so-called transition to capitalism.

Artists: Adela Jušić / Lana Čmajčanin, Alban Muja, Bojan Fajfrić, Damir Radović, Igor Grubić, Hristina Ivanoska, Klopka za pionira, Marko Krojač (Marc Schneider), Marijan Crtalić, Marcel Mališ, Monument Group (Damir Arsenijević, Jelena Petrović, Branimir Stojanović, Milica Tomić), Nina Höchtl, Peter Mlakar / Laibach, Phil Collins, Sebastjan Leban / Staš Kleindienst, Vahida Ramujkić, Vesna Pavlović

“Čega je danas ime rat?” (What is the name of war today?) is a platform which, over the past few months, has gathered translation groups in Prishtinë, Ljubljana, Maastricht, Zagreb, Tuzla, Belgrade, Mostar and Berlin. These groups have translated, discussed and distributed excerpts from the text by Catherine Hass: Qu’ appelle ton une guerre? EnquetesurIe nom de guerre aujourd’hui.
The translation groups have raised questions regarding the contemporary conception of the meaning of war. In the context of the current global and permanent war, they have also tackled and discussed the web of basic terms which contribute to understanding the war history of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Through this long-term work, Grupa Spomenik continues its research into how we can contemplate and produce space for open, critical and engaged discussion about the wars of the 1990s. It also facilitates space for the recognition of new forms of commonality, and finally – creates space for carrying out Yugoslav Studies.

Participants:
Till Ansgar Baumhauer, Ivana Bago,  Boris Buden, Gal Kirn, Doreen Mende, Jelena Petrović, Vahida Ramujkić, Milica Tomić

Extension of “What is the Name of War Today?”
GRUPA SPOMENIK (Monument Group) and Translation Groups:

Grupa Spomenik (Damir Arsenijević, Jelena Petrović, Branimir Stojanović, Milica Tomić), Antonia Majača, Vjollca Krasniqi, Ivana Bago, Dren Berishaj, Shrpesa Veliqi, Donjete Sadiku, Lidija Radojević, Katja Sudec, Tjaša Pogačar, Dubravka Sekulić, Žiga Testen, Dragana Jovović, Branislav Đorđević, Azra Čaušević, Lejla Osmić, Asmir Fazlić, Noa Treister, Tanja Simić Bercloz, Vida Knežević, Marko Miletić, Vladimir Miladinović, Nenad Porobić, Marija Ratković, Jovanka Vojinović, Srđan Hercigonja, Dejan Vasić, Anja Bogojević, Husein Oručević, Ronald Panza, Amila Puzić, Mili Sefić, Naomi Hennig, Jovana Komnenić, Arman Kulašić, Dejan Marković, Arnela Mujkanović, Anita Šurkić

The shift of official historical narratives that took place in ex Yugoslavia (as in many other parts of the world) at the end of the twentieth century shook our very idea of historical truth, showing us that religion, nation, ideals, identity, statehood and even personal identity are not given by God (or nature ) but are subject to variations and transformations.

While Yugoslavia’s federation was breaking into small national entities, each of those producing parallel historical narratives, the rest of Europe was going through a process of unification and removal of territorial boundaries; two processes that seem to go in opposite directions.

This workshop will address the comparative reading, interpretation and reassembly of textbooks of modern times from the territory of former Yugoslavia, and Germany (East and West) issued “before the wall, between the wall and the towers and after the towers”. It will address the linguistic, visual and literary analysis of selected materials from very personal perspectives and experiencies, creating new content using the technique of assemblage.

Guided Tours: Sundays, September 25,
October 02, 16, 23 & 30, 2011, 17h

Spaceship Yugoslavia. The Suspension of Time
Raumschiff Jugoslawien. Die Aufhebung der Zeit

Ed. Naomi Hennig, Jovana Komnenić, Arman Kulašić, Dejan Marković, Arnela Mujkanović, Katja Sudec, Anita Šurkic and Neue Gesellschaft für Bildende Kunst, Berlin

with texts by Gal Kirn, Todor Kuljić / Oliver Ressler, Ozren Pupovac, Miško Šuvaković

29,7 x 21 cm
German/English
200 pages, 38 b&w images
Softcover
EUR 20,00
ISBN 978-3-9427-00-23-8

Since the transformation of the European socialist state systems after 1989, the political positions of the postcommunist era have negated almost every facet of the previous system as part of a totalitarian entity in an effort to legitimize their own claims for freedom regarding ethnic identity and/or private ownership. The reader seeks to address the topic of a Socialist reality – and encounters an ambivalent image which seems neither monochromatic, homogenous, nor totalitarian. In what way can this past be thought of and reflected on today, so that it contributes to the conception of future realities?

with works by: Phil Collins, Marijan Crtalić, Bojan Fajfrić, Igor Grubić, Nina Höchtl, Hristina Ivanoska, Adela Jušić / Lana Čmajčanin, Marko Krojač (Marc Schneider), Sebastjan Leban / Staš Kleindienst, Marcel Mališ, Peter Mlakar / Laibach, Alban Muja, Vesna Pavlović, Klopka za pionira, Damir Radović, Vahida Ramujkić, Grupa Spomenik (Damir Arsenijević, Jelena Petrović, Branimir Stojanović, Milica Tomić / Guest: Vjollca Krasniqi)