On target
The project “On Target” aims to examine the many forms of violence. The original idea is based on the work “Human Targets” by the Cypriot visual artist Rinos Stefani. The target is a universal and powerful image often related to violent blows and destructive actions towards people and nature. A target metaphorically means a person or a community who is the aim of an attack, a racist abuse, a victim of exploitation etc. The target has also a positive meaning. It is a desired goal, an aim to be attained. Cyprus is not only surrounded by countries in conflict but has itself gone through a traumatic experience of war and uprooting of people. Military targets, fortification, check points, barbed wire and the Buffer Zone constantly remind us of this violence. Similar situations are being experienced in many places in the world. The curator of the project “On Target”, prominent German art historian Inge Baecker, who worked closely with many Fluxus artists, refers to violence as a long established theme in the history of art which appears in many forms: war, destruction of nature, political, abuse of women etc. It is a recurrent theme that not only leads to reflection, but hopefully also brings a positive change. Indeed it involves the basic duty of the arts, to positively influence society, to motivate in depth thinking and to assist in finding a change for the better. It has always been the function of art to manifest battles and violence in an artistic manner. Present day art, however, no longer permits an easy escape into aesthetic and pleasurable contemplations but compels us to form an opinion while confronting us directly with actions, objects or environmental factors.
This has nothing to do with the so called consumption of pictures, but rather with an era during which images flood our daily lives. Inge Baecker with the assistance of visual artist Susan Vargas has invited artists Tammam Azzam, Vladimir Kuzmin, Ursula Molitor, Ulrike Rosenbach and Rinos Stefani to participate. The curator will also show work by Wolf Vostell.
Opening of Exhibition: Sunday 9 July 2017 at 20:00,
Pafos Municipal Gallery, Monday & Friday 9:00-13:00 & 17-19:00, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday 9:00-15:00. Tel. 26930653, Duration of exhibition: 9/7/2017 – 30/9/2017
Pafos Municipal Gallery, Gladstonos 7
Free entry
Pafos2017 event
The On Target is an ambitious project and art exhibition of the European Capital of Culture - Pafos 2017 which is produced by ex-Artis Cultural Association. The original idea is based on the work “Human Targets” by the Cypriot visual artist Rinos Stefani. The curator of the project, prominent German art historian Inge Baecker, with the assistance of visual artist Susan Vargas invited artists Tammam Azzam, Molitor & Kuzmin, Ulrike Rosenbach and Rinos Stefani to participate in the exhibition. The exhibition also includes works by Wolf Vostell, one of the most influential contemporary artists, a pioneer of Happening and Fluxus movement. The On Target project includes a presentation- discussion on 5/7/ 2017 about “Art and Violence”.
Inge Baecker writes in her introduction to the exhibition: “Violence is a long established theme in the history of art: political violence, destruction of nature, war, abuse of women etc. Today`s art, however, is far divorced from the simple consumption of pretty pictures and no longer permits an easy escape into aesthetic and pleasurable contemplations. It directs to a deeper meaning and compels us to form an opinion. The concept of “visual thinking” by Rudolf Arnheim elucidates art as an epistemological act. Events are sketched, collaged, painted, installed and are most destructively treated. Through its destruction art creates new constellations and thereby releases new thinking and perception processes. It is from this thought process the artists of this exhibition have developed their work. This applies to Rinos Stefani in his paintings and drawings, to Tamman Azzam in his collages, to Ulrike Rosenbach in her installations and videos and to the “light installations” by Molitor&Kuzmin.”
