The 9 artists from Germany and Czech Republic were consolidated by Berlin-based curator Friederike Hauffe and will present several of their current works – some of them newly developed site-specific for The Brno House of Arts and shown here for the first time. During her research-visit for example Barbara Eitel´s work was influenced by historic exhibition architecture of The Brno House of Arts and Daniela Ehemann focused on Brno's well-known Villa Tugendhat. In a modern, media-enacted society real and fictional space can no longer be clearly distinguished. The relation of reality and imagination, of outer and inner event horizon becomes a central category of personal identity.

This is what this exhibition focuses on. It deliberates upon the question of individual experiences using deserted spaces as an example. Without user and purpose they seem devoid of meaning. Space and self are alienated from one another. Thereby, the spaces noticeably gain substance and become more than mere trappings. On the other hand, viewers are encouraged to fill the void. In their imagination the identities of the absent and the viewer, of the depicted space and the individuals’ unfurling imagination all blend together. The title “Raum : Selbst” (“Space : Self”) alludes to this in two ways.
The artists’ works explore this subject within a wide media spectrum. But simultaneously they all share their minimalist staging that often only insinuates, works with clippings, or abstracts in some other way. This openness inevitably integrates the viewers as well as their agenda into constituting the spaces and engages them emotionally.
Raum : Selbst is intended as a long-term artistic research project between Berlin and other international places of contemporary art. The topic with its specified questions concerning rooms and space will be continued at different exhibition venues, but will respond individually with new works and flexible installations of the artists involved according to the respective environment.
Dr. Friederike Hauffe

Supported by:
/// Czech-German Fund For The Future / Ministry of Culture Czech Republic / ifa - Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations / ARS PUBLICA
/// Mit freundlicher Unterstützung der Kulturverwaltung des Landes Berlin / Statutární město Brno finančně dotuje provoz Domu umění města Brna

Media: http://www.dum-umeni.cz/cz/clanek/raum_selbst_ohlasy_v_mediich

24 06 -- 14 08 (2011)