<nettime> contemporary art exhibit from Prishtina closed in Belgrade

[Geert Lovink <geert@xs4all.nl>]

Dear Friends,

we are sending a STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR ARTISTS, CURATORS and 
INSTITUTIONS involved in the exhibition EXCEPTION: Contemporary art 
scene from Prishtina, scheduled to be open on the 7.02.2008 in 
Belgrade, Kontekst Gallery FORCED TO CLOSE JUST BEFORE THE OPENING. The 
curators and the institution needs an international support!
I send as it was plenty of misinformation the images from the day of 
the opening.

The statement is attached below.

Very best,

 Marina Grzinic and Rosa Reitsamer

--

PLEASE SIGN AND SEND BACK either to Rosa Reitsamer: fem.seq@gmx.at or 
Marina Grzinic margrz@zrc-sazu.si

STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR ARTISTS, CURATORS and INSTITUTIONS involved in 
the exhibition EXCEPTION: Contemporary art scene from Prishtina, 
scheduled to be open on the 7.02.2008 in Belgrade, Kontekst Gallery

The statement is a reaction to the fact that the exhibition EXCEPTION, 
Contemporary art scene from Prishtina (Kosova) that ?was scheduled to 
open on 7 February 2008 (and to be on display until 15 February 2008) 
at KONTEKST Gallery in Belgrade WAS FORCED TO CLOSE JUST BEFORE THE 
OPENING.

The Serbian police that had to intervene just before the opening as 
they  estimated that ?they cannot guarantee safety to the curators and 
the public, after an organized ?group of Serbian nationalist ?forces 
attacked the gallery space and even destroyed Dren Maliqi's work Face 
to face.

The artists taking part in the exhibition are Artan Balaj, Jakup Ferri, 
Driton Hajredini, Flaka Haliti, Fitore Isufi Koja, Dren Maliqi, Alban 
Muja, Vigan Nimani, Nurhan Qehaja, Alketa Xhafa and Lulzim Zeqiri.

On 8 February 2008, the curators of the project Vida Knezevic, Kristian 
Lukic, Ivana Marjanovic and Gordana Nikolic asked PUBLICLY the Ministry 
of culture of Serbia and the city of Belgrade to react firmly against 
such nationalist forces in order to protect the exhibition in the 
future. The curators insist on the right to present the project in 
Belgrade in the near future.

?On 8 February, these violent nationalist forces attacked again, they 
threw stones in the ?windows of the KONTEKST gallery and broke them and 
as well ?they destroyed gallery?s sign on the door.

All of us signed under this statement are expressing our support TO 
ARTISTS, CURATORS and INSTITUTIONS ?involved in the exhibition 
EXCEPTION: Contemporary art scene from Prishtina.

We ask the Serbian Government and the governmental bodies of the 
Serbian Ministry of Culture as well as the Belgrade city council and 
city institutions to ACT and PROTECT (in accordance with the law) the 
artists, curators and institutions involved in the organization of the 
exhibition project. Also, we apply to these bodies to ask for the 
SUPPORT and help in
organizing the reopening of the project and to allow an open non 
violent platform discussion on the topic.

The exhibition is an important project by the young generation in 
Serbia who is willing to see, discuss and understand historical and 
current relations between Serbia and Kosova.

The exhibition was presented previously at the Museum of Contemporary
Art Vojvodina, Novi Sad (22.01 - 05.02.2008). The exhibition is a
joint effort of two organizations Kontekst, Belgrade, and Napon, Novi
Sad.

THE SIGNED STATEMENT WILL BE SEND TO ARTISTS, CURATORS AND INSTITUTIONS 
INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT, TO SERBIAN'S GOVERMENTAL BODIES, BELGRADE CITY 
COUNCIL'S BODIES and SERBIAN MASS MEDIA.

SIGNATURES:






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