Opening: June 10, 2005, 8 pm
Exhibition dates: June 10 - September 18, 2005
Opening Speech: Dr. Frank-Egon Pantel, Oldenburg City Development Council
Introduction: Dr. Corinna Otto and Paula von Sydow in a Discussion with Artist Mischa Kuball
The Edith Russ Site for Media Site and the Oldenburger Kunstverein are presenting a lighting-based art project by the Düsseldorf-based artist Mischa Kuball in the Oldenburg inner city.
For his FlashBoxOldenburg work, the artist has installed strobe lights on building facades throughout the inner city. These create a calculated visual interference that are in opposition to the simple messages offered by the advertising signs and lights that dominate Oldenburg's pedestrian zone. The work evokes a new, entirely different view of the inner city that is primarily defined by consumption and tourist attractions. The city, however, is also a center of employment and living.
Oldenburg citizens have actively participated in the project by »adopting« the blinking strobe lights and allowing them to be installed on their buildings. This is a clear sign of the commitment by private citizens and their interest in their public spaces. The blinking church steeples, cornices, windows, and building facades have thus become a »mission for the people's inner city«. This mission is a distinct symbol of Oldenburg citizens' identification with their city.
FlashBoxOldenburg 2005, Photo: Roland Furtwängler
FlashBoxOldenburg is taking place as part of the Jahrhundertschritt 05 anniversary project. It brings together aspects of the dawn of the Modern Age and contemporary developments: the electrification of cities at the beginning of the 20th century was a symbol of progressive urbanization. Designing urban spaces with light first began with the advertising signs on cinemas. Over time, the use of more and more light in major cities such as Moscow, Tokyo and others has also led to a distinct change in the way we perceive public space. It is a phenomenon which an increasing number of artistic projects are addressing.
Mischa Kuball works with light and movement. His works are characterized by fleeting appearances; they are temporary interventions in public spaces. When creating his complex choreographies of light, the artist is always interested in the way a particular public space is defined: familiar places are structured anew; forgotten spaces are recalled; new spaces are designed. The artist's clear, minimalist language of form is never merely aesthetic. It is also always instilled with social codes. Light is thus in many cases also used to »illuminate« hidden implications, so that they can be »brought to light« in public.
Edition: FlashBoxOldenburg 2005, CI-Print on Aluminium, 42cm x 59,4cm, 300,- EUR
The Edith Russ Site for Media Art and the Oldenburg Kunstverein have been integrated into the project and turned into »flashing bodies«. The spaces in the buildings are covered in aluminium foil. Eight large strobe lights flash on and off during the evening and night hours. Other events will also be taking place during this time.
Mischa Kuball is also presenting two other works at the Edith Russ Site for Media Art: the slide show installation entitled »FlashPlanetOldenburg« from 2005 and the film »AntiKino« (Anti-Cinema) from 1999.
Events:
June 21, 8 pm
Edith Russ Site for Media Art
A Discussion with Mischa Kuball and Dr. Söke Dinkla
The project FlashBoxOldenburg prompted public debate even before the start of the project, thereby causing the citizens of Oldenburg to address both the project and their own city. The discussion on June 21st is intended to offer a forum for further debate with the artist himself and with Essen-based art historian and curator Dr. Söke Dinkla.
The series of events called »soundcheck c/o flashbox« will take advantage of the spaces designed by Mischa Kuball for FlashBoxOldenburg to investigate the interplay of media art and electronic music.
July 8, 10.30 pm
Edith Russ Site for Media Art and Oldenburger Kunstverein
Apparat (live), Markus Guentner (live)
August 13, 10.30 pm
Edith Russ Site for Media Art
Jan Jelinek (live), Manuel Falkenberg (DJ)
September 3, 6 - 12 pm / Night of Museum
Edith Russ Site for Media Art
Antonelli Electr. (live), Strobocop (DJ), Manuel Falkenberg (DJ)
Tuesday, September 13, 7 pm
The project »FlashBoxOldenburg« is going into its last phase. The one hundred days of the project will end on September 18. Before all the lights are turned out, the plugs are pulled, and the blinking lamps are dismantled, the organizers of the project at the Edith Russ Site for Media Art and the Oldenburger Kunstverein, along with the artist Mischa Kuball, wish to make a survey of the event.
What happens when a renowned, internationally active artist confronts Oldenburg's citizens with a confusing light installation in their inner city? How do the members of the community and visitors to the city respond to such a provocation? Are they tolerant and open, curious and willing to participate?
The participants in the project who offered their building facades where blinking lights were installed for the 100 days of the project are also invited to the evening discussion. Furthermore, students of the Oldenburg vocational school will be active participants in the event, and will add their thoughts to the event organizers' experiences and the artist's own reflections.
On Sunday, September 18, a final tour of the »FlashBoxOldenburg« project will take place, with background information and a discussion about art in public space. Meeting point is the Edith Russ Site for Media Art at 3 pm The tour is free of charge. Admission to the site is 2,50 Euros; discounted entrance fee is 1,50 Euros.
Isensee Verlag Oldenburg will publish a catalogue to accompany the exhibition.
Opening hours:
Edith Russ Site for Media Art:
Tues - Fri 11 am - 6 pm
Sat - Sun 10 am - pm
Admission: 2,50 / 1,50 EUR
Tours: June 19, July 17, August 14, September 18 at 3 pm,
Meeting point: Edith Russ Site for Media Art
Guided tours for groups upon request
Edith Russ Site for Media Art
Katharinenstraße 23
D-26121 Oldenburg
Tel.: 04 41/ 235 32 08
Fax: 04 41/ 235 21 61
Oldenburg Kunstverein will be open for the events and by appointment. Otherwise, it will be acting as a »flashing body« for the duration of the project.
Oldenburger Kunstverein
Damm 2a
D-26135 Oldenburg
Tel.: +49 (0)441 271 09
Fax: +49 (0)441 271 01
okv@kunstverein-oldenburg.de
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