Manifesta 10

State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg

June 28 – October 31, 2014

Curatorial approach by Kasper König

The MANIFESTA Biennial was inspired by the changing European constellation of 1989–91, and was initiated in order to build upon the increased artistic exchange made possible by these events. Now MANIFESTA will look back and take stock, introducing contemporary art to the Hermitage. The uniqueness of the museum—a palace of extraordinary collections with a continuous history of defending culture, regardless of times and circumstances—lends itself in a most unusual way to looking at varied moments in art history (local and global, recent and ancient). MANIFESTA 10 will critically explore gaps, and propose how contemporary art can offer a language to read them against the complexity and concerns of our times.

The exhibition and public program artists were sought out for their strong positions and their international relevance. While political and social statements form part of some artists’ works, others are invited for the elements of critique inherent in their practices, or for their ability to foster artistic discussion and illuminate aspects of artistic development.

In order to bring together the newly renovated and restored General Staff Building, which will house two-thirds of MANIFESTA 10, and the Winter Palace, which houses one-third of the exhibition among the historical collection, artworks will be exchanged between the two buildings. These include the works of three women painters, Marlene Dumas, Nicole Eisenman, and Maria Lassnig, which will be exhibited in the renowned Henri Matisse rooms in the Winter Palace, while his works will be relocated to the General Staff Building. It is a central idea that contemporary art should be experienced in dialogue with art from other periods and cultures.

MANIFESTA 10 seeks to bring a playful spirit to the task of discovering what is needed, what is plausible, and what is challenging within the context of the Hermitage. It aims to attract visitors for whom MANIFESTA 10 will be an initial first-hand experience with contemporary art.

Rather than offering an encompassing overview of contemporary art, the exhibition includes a number of artists’ standpoints represented by a number of carefully chosen artworks. As a guest in the Hermitage, we very much enjoy working with our colleagues at the museum, in awareness of the great and extraordinary challenge MANIFESTA 10 is presented with: bringing contemporary art into a unique universal museum, such as the Hermitage, in the current times.

Comment by Kasper König

In response to the comments I have received regarding the current geopolitical circumstances, I would like to stress that obviously I am very concerned with the escalating crisis, and because of it I do believe it is and should be our goal to continue to make MANIFESTA 10 happen. It is itself a complex entity, to prompt its artists and its viewers to assume their own strong political positions, to pose questions and raise voices. To neglect and quit, would be a sign of resignation. There is vulnerability in this situation, but also a challenge and we shall have a courage to go on, a decision backed up by many Russian colleagues. It is upon us not to be influenced by prejudices against minorities or nationalist propaganda but to reject it. It is more important than ever to continue our work with courage and conviction for the local and international publics. As someone who has worked in many and various political climates and challenges, the experience tells me to stay calm and continue to work on the complexity and contradiction, that art has to offer and on how it can engage, and oppose the simplifications of our times. I support all efforts – both in art field and at large – in that direction, and I am sure that the presence of critical contemporary art in Hermitage and in the city will contribute to pluralistic and healthy debate on for complexity, and artists’ beauty.