Ludvik Hlavacek on Tue, 1 Oct 1996 07:11:50 +0000 |
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Dawn of the Magicians? |
Dear Sir, Madam: We are pleased to inform you about the international, multidisciplinary year-long exhibition project Dawn of the Magicians? Art, Science, Society at the Turn of the Millenium presented from October 18, 1996 to September 1997. The project is organized by and held at the National Gallery in Prague's Center for Modern and Contemporary Art. The curatorial team is led by the Center's director Dr. Jaroslav Andel. Your interest is important to us. We would be pleased to know of your interest in project. Your participation in it or its accompanying programs as well as subcription to the exhibition Bulletin can be discussed with the exhibition coordinator Jana KrálÃková at: National Gallery in Prague Center for Modern and Contemporary Art Dukelských hrdinù 47 170 00 Praha 7 Czech Republic tel: (42-2) 2430 1006 fax: (42-2) 371 775 e-mail: jitro@flusser.cz _____________________________________________________________________ Dawn of the Magicians? Art, Science, Society at the Turn of the Millennium October 18, 1996 - September 1997 I. From Mediumistic Drawings to Cyberspace The most beautiful thing in the universe is the mysterious. It is the only source of all true art and science. ALBERT EINSTEIN As I see it, the world is made up of a very complex network (rather than a chain) of entities which have this sort relationships (i.e., control restrains) to each other . . . . GREGORY BATESON . . . these examples of earlier civilizations from China, Mexico, India and other places, give us the feeling that the real essence of science is this relationship between man and nature, and this should be emphasized worldwide because science is in danger of becoming simply technology. ILYA PRIGOGINE The approaching end of the year, century, and millennium is revitalizing questions of ending and of new beginnings. Over the last several years, a multitude of theories have been formulated about the end of history and the world, and visions expressed of the coming of a new age, of a technological posthuman future. At the same time there are calls for a return to a pre-historic time, to a return to the security of the past, for the reinstatement of the relationship between human beings and nature. The rapid transformation of the world and of values is giving rise to a deep sense of insecurity and to questions being addressed by contemporary art, science, and philosophy: How does present-day reality differ from that of one hundred years ago? What impact have the developments in technology, science and economy had on our lives? How are they influencing our understanding of the environment and the city and affecting our vision of the world? Are the discoveries, processes, and transformations in distinct fields of human activity occuring in isolation, or is a more general principle at work here? The international project Dawn of the Magicians? aims to discover links and relationships among a diversity of events, cultural expressions, theories, and every-day experiences. The question mark in its title reflects the openness of th exhibition´s structure and the changes to come in its four cycles. The program of accompanying events and the wh le concept on of the project itself has the character a work-in-progress, of a call for discussion, of an on-going forum for the posing of questions and discovery of creative perspectives, rather than a pre-formulated so7ution to the issues that are raised. Dawn of the Magicians? is inspired by the contemporary scientific theories of chaos and complexity, by concepts such as self-regulating processes and systems, fractal geometry, positive feedback, emerging structures, etc. Art, just as science, is a tool for discovering our place in the universe, thus both these fields share a number of themes and motifs. The exhibition project emphasizes and explores connections and relationships among these "grand" themes: cosmology, nature, technology, the spiritual. Following a non-linear approach to the history of the twentieth century brings out the correlations among these themes and also among many examples of human expression and activity. A great number of contemporary artists and theoreticians are addressing questions and issues which concern not only the narrow confines of their field but present-day society at large. The Dawn of the Magicians? project intends to create a common space in Prague for interdisciplinary discussion and for cross-currents of international contemporary culture and science. In conjunction with the project a series of lectures, symposia, film and video scre nings, performances, workshops, panel discussions, and concerts are being presented. The exhibition also takes place on the Internet for which a number of projects are being created, extending opportunities for communication well beyond the museum´s walls. The exhibition is held on the over 2 000 m2 (20,000 square feet) large fourth loor of Veletr?nà palác, a landmark of Constructivist architecture from 1928. Since December 1995, the vast reconstructed building has been the site of the National Gallery in Prague´s Center for Modern and Contemporary Art. Dawn of the Magicians? is the institution´s first of a series of interdisciplinary exhibitions projects. Among the artists whose work will be presented are: Steina Vasulka, VladimÃr Kokolia, Karel Malich, Franti?ek Kupka, Zdenìk Sýkora, Milo? ?ejn, Jan Jedlièka, Roman Signer, Michal Bielický, Martin janÃèek, VladimÃr ?koda, Martin Spannjaard, David Weiss - Peter Fischli, Matej Kren, Petr Svárovský, Jiøà Kornatovský, Petr Nikl, Manfred Mohr, Franti?ek Skála jr., Ladislav Ã?arný, B.K.S., Ilona Németh, Josef Váchal, Janka Vidová-?áèková, Frank Malina a dal?Ã. Programs & Events Series The programs and events accompanying the exhibition are scheduled during its presentation within its screening room, music auditorium, tea room/bookstore as well as outside the museum at participating institutions. The programs and events address these following areas: Contemporary Music, Performance, Multi-Media and Sound Installations Prominent figures and groups in these media will present their work at Veletr?nà palác and at participating venues. Nature and Artifice Lectures, video presentations, and discussions will address some of the most pressing issues at the end of the 20th century: the relationships between the human being and his or her surroundings, the rehabilitation and conservation of the ecosystem, the co-existence of technology and nature. Science, Computers, Society, and Art The growing impact of digital technology on everyday life as well as upon the functioning of entire economic and social systems as well as scenarios for the near future will be addressed in lectures, discussions, and various projects. Artists and critics will give the public insight into how aritsts are working with new media and technologies. Science and Culture -- Connections Across the Disciplines A series of symposia will give visitors the opportunity to participate in discussion and debate over the theories, ideas, and visions of prominent representatives of local and international science with writers, philosophers, sociologists, musicians, and visual artists. Video and Film Historical films from archives as well as documentary and animated films will be presented at participating venues and a program of video art will be presented in the Screening Room on the exhibition floor at Veletrznà palác. ______________________________________________________________________ ____