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The New Dictionary of Old Ideas explores the phenomenon of Central Europe
 

Central Europe – A utopia, a fact, or a concept of thought? The New Dictionary of Old Ideas is an artistic project that widely explores this phenomenon by examining its urgent political topics, history, geography, and visual culture. Works by artists from Georgia, Poland, Spain and Czech Republic will occupy the space of both the MeetFactory Gallery and Kostka Gallery until March 27.

The New Dictionary of Old Ideas Residency Project
The New Dictionary of Old Ideas is based on the eponymous project created as part of a residency program organized by MeetFactory and curated by Lucia Kvočáková and Piotr Sikora. Its aim was to interconnect cultural centers in countries of Central Europe and to explore this notorious phenomenon on the backdrop of political topics, visual culture, arts and history of this region. The three-year project will also produce an exhibition housed by the MeetFactory Gallery and Kostka Gallery and co-curated by Data Chigholashvili and Alba Folgado.

Definition of Central Europe – curatorial concept
The curators have introduced the exhibition’s concept: “Central Europe can also be seen as an idea, a metaphor of connection between the presumed West and East. However, this contact should not be understood in absolute terms, but relative to the specificities of each context. Historical and global processes, the existing threads between locations and ideas, must also be considered, since they contribute greatly to the shaping of opinions and beliefs tied to this concept.”

The exhibition approaches the phenomenon of Central Europe not as merely subjected to a physical location, but also influenced by socio-political, economic, and cultural factors. Directly defining `Central` can generate disagreements and dichotomous divisions (such as center and periphery). The artworks invite to contemplate how the world is seen near us and afar, and how its perception can be (re)defined through movement, time, and beliefs. The production of dominant images and narratives in Europe has legitimized new forms of persecuting minorities and underprivileged groups, both within its territory and beyond.

Exhibiting artists
The exhibition will showcase works by nine artists – Erick Beltrán (Mexico/Spain), Verónica Lahitte (Argentina/Spain), Elena Lavellés (Spain), Irmina Rusicka (Poland), Katharina Stadler (Austria/Georgia), Sandro Sulaberidze and Nino Zirakashvili (Georgia). The inclusion of artists from countries outside Europe is pivotal to the exhibition project adding a whole new dimension – a perspective of the region from outside, from countries that do not belong to the region of Central Europe. Specifically Czech perspective is represented by Adéla Součková and Jiří Žák.

Exhibition opening will take place at 7 PM on February 20. 

The exhibition will continue in TRAFO Center for Contemporary Art (Szczecin) (9. 4.–17. 5. 2020) and than it will continue in CentroCentro (Madrid) and Silk Museum (Tbilisi). 

The New Dictionary of Old Ideas is co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union. The project is organized by MeetFactory / Prague (CZ) in cooperation with TRAFO Center for Contemporary Art / Szczecin (PL), hablarenarte / Madrid (ES), and The State Silk Museum / Tbilisi (GE).

The New Dictionary of Old Ideas
February 21 – March 27, 2020
Artists: Erick Beltrán, Verónica Lahitte, Elena Lavellés, Irmina Rusicka, Adéla Součková, Katharina Stadler, Sandro Sulaberidze, Nino Zirakashvili, Jiří Žák
Curators: Data Chigholashvili and Alba Folgado
Project authors: Lucia Kvočáková and Piotr Sikora
Production: Jan Vítek
 

Accompanying program:
Feb 22, Mar 4, 17 – Exhibition tours

Mar 26 – Launch of project publication

 

Contact persons:
PR

Zuzana Kolouchová / +420 739 055 862 / zuzana.kolouchova@meetfactory.cz
Sabina Coufalová /  sabina.coufalova@meetfactory.cz   
 

In 2020, MeetFactory is supported by a grant from the City of Prague in the amount of CZK 10,000,000.