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I R W I N - LIKE TO LIKE
Founded in Ljubljana, Slovenia, in the early 1980's, the
five members of the IRWIN group are Dusan Mandi, Miran Mohar, Andrej Savski,
Roman Uranjek, and Borut Vogelnik.
IRWIN have been working together exclusively for over 20 years and are
recognised internationally for their activities, works, performances,
and installations, which occupy a significant standpoint within contemporary
European culture. Developed initially from a loose association of other
radical groups, centered in and around Ljublijana, generally known as
Neue Slovenian Kunst, NSK, (New Slovenian Art) their collective identity
employs a rich variety of visual forms specifically geared to identify
the possibilities of social change. Under the adoption of an attitude
known as the 'retro-principle', IRWIN have continuously aimed to establish
a direct relationship with the historical legacies of noted avant-garde's
within Eastern Europe in order to re-present these as important cultural
tools.
This relationship is represented through visual elements quoted from Western
and Eastern European art of the 19th and 20th centuries. IRWIN employ
motifs from Socialist Realism and the art of the "Third Reich",
from the various politically-engaged European avant-garde movements including
German Dadaism (in particular the artist John Heartfield), Italian Futurism
and Soviet-Russian Constructivism, as well as from religious art and Slovenian
art of the 19th century. From the context of the present, the re-projection
of these visual forms into the future by IRWIN provides the starting point
for dialogue in which culture is continuously open to re-cycling,
appropriation, or re-definition. The works are a poetic reminder of past
moments of Eastern European cultural significance through the lens of
now.
IRWIN are a unique phenomenon within the contemporary art scene. In a
world where much of art's mythology depends upon the individual identity
and ego of the artist, each member of IRWIN has assumed equal responsibility
to the group. This lends their own collective message a level of added
conviction which has direct implications towards Western traditions within
visual culture. IRWIN have exhibited extensively both in Europe and internationally,
and have been included in major events such as the Venice Biennial and
the Biennale of Sydney.
MIRAN MOHAR and BORUT VOGELNIK will be in Adelaide for
the opening of LIKE TO LIKE.
Enquiries to Melentie Pandilovski, EAF Director 0882117505
Presented by EXPERIMENTAL ART FOUNDATION, Adelaide and
ARTSPACE, Sydney.
IRWIN in Australia has been assisted by the Ministry of Culture- Republic
of Slovenia, Finsbury Printing-Adelaide, Deli Brand Art- Sydney, Independent
Arts Foundation (SA) Inc.
Special thanks to Ernie and Mark Orel, Adelaide.
LIKE TO LIKE was first produced by Cornerhouse, Manchester, UK
EXPERIMENTAL ART FOUNDATION
Lion Arts Centre, North Terrace at Morphett Street, Adelaide, South Australia
Lion Arts Centre North Terrace at Morphett Street Adelaide
PO Box 8091 Station Arcade South Australia 5000
Tel: +618 8211 7505 Fax +618 8211 7323
The Experimental Art Foundation is assisted by the Commonwealth
Government through the Australia Council, it arts funding and advisory
body, by the South Australian Government through Arts SA, and through
the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy, an initiative of the Australian, State
and Territory Governments. The EAF is proudly smoke- free.
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