 Ewa Einhorn & Misha Stroj The Bourgeois Show Social Structures in Urban Space Ewa Einhorn/Micha Stroj (Sweden/Austria), Mike Bode/Staffan Schmidt (Sweden), Planet22 (Switzerland/Germany), Nika Spalinger (Switzerland), Annelise Coste (Switzerland), Relax (Switzerland), Lisl Ponger (Austria), Moira Zoitl (Austria), Martin Krenn (Austria), Oliver Ressler/David Thorne (Austria/USA), Pia Lanzinger (Germany), Ariane Müller (Germany) Any public space in a democratic urban environment should be a forum for interaction, discussion and criticism, a place where every sort of issue can be debated. But the question is, can everyone make their own voice heard? The expression "public space" originated in the café and drawing room cultures established during the 18th century in many of the major cities in Europe. The so-called bourgeoisie met to discuss political issues of the day, propagated by a new medium - the daily newspaper. In the exhibition, "The Bourgeois Show - social structures in an urban environment", the artists investigate and illustrate Helsingborg's prevailing social structures and aesthetic design principles, seen as a consequence of this bourgeois legacy. The participating artists have studied how we deal with inherited traditions, values and power structures (hidden or open) in our society. They have also investigated how we have planned and developed our urban landscape and how we have created opportunities for social interaction. They also ask the question, "is it possible to compare Helsingborg with other European towns, with respect to social structures derived from the bourgeois era?" The exhibition will try to illustrate who, generally speaking, owns and controls a town's public spaces. The Dunker Culture Centre will be the main venue for "The Bourgeois Show - Social Structures in Urban Space", with photographs, videos and installations on display. There will also be activities in other parts of the town, for instance in Stadsparken, the central park, regarded by many as the dividing line between the town's northern and southern districts. A special programme of films will be shown at the Röda Kvarn cinema. Seminars and workshops on the themes of the exhibition will provide opportunities for in-depth studies of specific issues. 8 November 2003 - 1 February 2004 Opening Hours: Tue-Sun 10am - 5pm, Thu 10am - 8 pm Dunkers Kulturhus Kungsgatan 11 S-252 21 Helsingborg Telephone +46 042 - 10 74 00 Fax +46 042 - 10 74 10 www.dunkerskulturhus.com |
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