Zuzana Stefkova Lecture

Zuzana Stefkova, curator from the Centre of Contemporary Art in Prague gave a lecture on politics and art, specifically issues central in Czech and Slavic Contemporary Art. The lecture was done in a progressive manor starting with a definition of the term “political art”. Following the definition she talked about two exhibitions which put Czech and Slavic political art on the map and showed examples of works by artist groups that addressed different themes in political arts. Lastly she finished with how the works led to the current state of Czech and Slavic Contemporary Art.

Political Art is a coined term, any art is political since its production and evaluation depends on heterogeneous, social, economical and political powers. The only problem Stefkova had with this term is that not all artists are conscious and do not necessarily mean to add ideological messages to their work. Stefkova focuses specifically on works of art that consciously reflected on social issues. There were two main exhibitions that put the Czech and Slavic political works of art up with the rest that of the West, Politik-Um and Point Czech. Although the two exhibitions helped uplift Czech and Slavic political art there were some differences between the two.

Politik-Um stressed helplessness and the in-efficient. It showed the distinction between art and politics in the beginning and how art was meant to stay art and not become politics. The show took an idealistic stance. Point Czech aspired at engaging its audience and inflicting changes. With this exhibition there was no distinction between art and politics and was more self-reflexive and took a self critical stance. Point Czech on the other hand showed how political art had matured and diversified.

Stefkova showed example of different artist groups whose work challenged such themes as public space, racism, control and surveillance and gender and sexuality as well as others. Primarily all of the works she discussed were from artist groups like Pink Tank, Rafni and a couple individuals like Tamara Moyzos. Pink Tank did work challenging public space with a historical monument; they painted a tank used in World War II pink. When the government painted it back to green people outside of the artist group repainted it pink. This work showed new spirit as a rebellious act fighting the government and military and its evil ways towards art, specifically in public space.

Rafni art group burned a black and white Czech flag; although it was legal they were still arrested. This work aimed as a demonstration of democracy. Only by destruction of the demoralized values can the true essence of something be brought back. They thought the problem with democracy is that it is open to ideas that is and can be harmful. The theme of racism was covered with Tamara who was not Czech. Tamara was refused access to a multitude of places and to show racism underwent hours of make up to make her appear Caucasian and entered a beauty pageant. She ended up winning and was crowned Miss Roma Czech Republic 2007. Her work showed how skin colored effected ones treatment.

The aim in showing works that covered a variety of themes in political art was to show different means which helped further uplift Czech and Slavic Contemporary Political Art. This was done through the diverse responses of the works to the socially sensitive themes.