Scenario

Zbyněk Baladrán & Jiří Kovanda

A dialogue between Zbyněk Baladrán e Jiří Kovanda for the presentation of a collaborative project, the publication The Nervous System (2013) and a new edition by the two artists.

29.11. 2013 - 18.01.2014

@Spazio O’ | via Pastrengo, 12 | Milano

Kunstverein (Milano), in collaboration with the Czech Centre Milano, presents SCENARIO
Wednesday 18 December 2013, h.19 | Spazio O' | Via Pastrengo, 12 | Milano

During the exhibition MORE WORDSHIP. The Richard Kostelanetz Bookstore Kunstverein hosts a number of book-related events. The first evening is dedicated to Zbyněk Baladrán (1973) e Jiří Kovanda (1953), artists and authors of the project and publication The Nervous System (2011-13)

A dialogue between two artists about the Voynich Manuscript: how ideas come in artistic practice, propitious situations, memory of the conscious and unconscious, transcribing poetry, ornithology, zoological gardens, the films of Fellini, screenplays, why the master of Czech literature, Jan Neruda, slept in the same bed as his father....


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The conversation between Zbyněk Baladrán (1973, Prague) and Jirí Kovanda (1953, Prague) is conducted in the form of spontaneous reflections on the images with which they confront each other. It is, however, a debate that constantly branches out, creating a topical mental map of the aesthetics, referential environments, and approaches of two generations.

Wednesday 18 December both artists will be present with Kunstverein (Milano), at Spazio O', to continue their erratic dialogue that started two years ago in an exhibition space , the apartment at Frigoriferi Milanesi.

The project and exhibition were presented by Kunstverein (Milano) co-curated with Juan Pablo Macias, in the winter of 2011-12. It was followed by extended dialogue between the two artists, and culminated in an artists' book published by Kunstverein Pubishing, Tranzit (cz) and JRP | Ringier in 2013.

In Milan the two artists will continue their anti-narrative exchange, a Q&A between images, thought, knowledge and text, on all matters concerning life, before a live audience.

On show during Scenario will be the eight collages the artists conceived together over the course of their conversations.

Scenario is a one-off project, an experiment between two artists from different generations, but coming from the same geographic background. Both are key figures in contemporary art, Zbynek Baladran represented the Czech Republic at this year's Venice Biennial, and is also among today's more innovative international curators as shows his most recent exhibition "Encyclopedia of Failure" presented together with Vit Hravanek, currently at the Biennale of Jakarta; whereas Jiri Kovanda continues to work on the frontlines of contemporary art, having been one of the pioneers of conceptual and actionist art in the Czech Republic during the 1970s.

Thanks to: Radka Neumannova, Simona Calboli, Daniele Maffeis, Chiara Guzzoni, Sara Serighelli