Syndicate: Moderna Museet: Art in Albania, 28 Feb 2001

[Inke Arns <inke@snafu.de>]

From: Joa Ljungberg <j.ljungberg@modernamuseet.se>
Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2001 11:50:03 +0100

Seminar at Moderna Museet
Art in Albania - after 50 years of communist dictatorship

Wednesday, February 28th, 18:00-20:00 in the Workshop

How was it possible for Albanian artists to step out onto the international
art scene, after half a century of total isolation from cultural
developments abroad?  During the communist dictatorship, all information
about the world beyond Albania's borders was strictly controlled - an
artist in possession of a book on van Gogh risked the possibility of years
in jail.

At the same time as the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, a mausoleum was
built in Albania's capital Tirana to commemorate communist dictator Enver
Hoxha. Three years later Albania had become a democracy and Enver Hoxha's
mausoleum was hastily re-named the "International Centre of Culture". It
became the site of the first-ever international art exhibition in Albania,
introducing art in new mediums such as photography and digital video.

Recently we have been exposed to a number of exciting artists from Albania.
 Many of us recall Anri Sala's film Intervista - Finding the Words, shown
at the exhibition After the Wall at Moderna Museet in 1999.  Earlier on
that same year, Albanian artists represented their country for the first
time at the Venice Biennale.

At Moderna Museet's seminar we will meet:

Edi Muka, known for having "jumpstarted" Albanian's artworld after the fall
of communism.  In 1999, Edi Muka curated Albania's first contribution at
the Venice Biennale.  Edi Muka, until just recently Managing Director of
the International Centre of Culture (situated within Enver Hoxha's
mausoleum), is now Curator at Tirana's National Gallery.

Adrian Paci, young Albanian artist, currently showcased in a solo
exhibition at Bildmuseet in Ume?.  Adrian Paci has received wide
recognition, especially due to his participation in Manifesta 3 where he
showed his film Albanian Stories.

Joa Ljungberg, co-ordinator of the seminar and curator for the Swedish
artists' participation in the third (1999) and fourth (2000) international
art exhibitions in Albania.

Joanna Sandell, journalist, currently published with several reports on the
art event of the year in Albania, Onufri.

For further information please contact:
Joa Ljungberg
Tel: 08-5195 5284
E-mail: j.ljungberg@modernamuseet.se

Moderna Museet is located on the island Skeppsholmen, Stockholm.
Public Transportation: Bus 65 from Central Station/Vasagatan; Underground
station "Kungstr?dg?rden"; Ferry from Slussen and Djurg?rden
Visit our website: www.modernamuseet.se

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