PIÈCES DE RÉSISTANCE: FORMS OF RESISTANCE IN CONTEMPORARY ART

For some years now, we have seen the emergence of a new generation of artists whose work engages with power structures in the broadest sense and who view their practice as a form of resistance against the mechanisms of power. But what does ‘power’ mean to this generation? What motivates them? Some of these artists deal explicitly with specific political constructs and analyse models of control or representations of power, whilst others focus on the overarching contexts that result from them. In the artistic articulation of criticism of the status quo, in the highlighting of grievances or alternatives, language, content and concept are frequently intertwined, and the boundaries between artistic presentation and political action dissolve. Art thus intervenes directly in life, and its achievement lies in awakening aesthetic awareness, civic consciousness and a spirit of resistance.

With ‘Pièces de résistance’ the Kunstmuseum Thun offers a selective overview of forms of political resistance in contemporary art, presenting a wide variety of approaches to the theme across a diverse range of media. To mark the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the exhibition focuses (alongside insights into the art scene in Switzerland) on related developments in the art scenes of our Eastern European neighbouring countries, where the social situation following the opening of the border provides a fundamental context for contemporary art practice. Pièces de Résistance is organised in collaboration with Andrea Domesle (A) and Michal Koleček (CZ) and is based on their exhibition Why do you resist? Forms of resistance in contemporary art and society, which has already been shown in Graz (Forum Stadtpark) and in Usti nad Labem (Centre for Contemporary Central European Art). The name change for the Thun exhibition stems from the significant expansion of this original presentation.

Artists featured in the exhibition:
Zbyněk Baladrán, Rebecca Bournigault, Thomas Galler, Heinrich Gartentor, Hanswalter Graf with the Resistance Allstars, Marina Gržinić & Aina Šmid, Jana Gunstheimer, Fabrice Gygi, Thomas Hirschhorn, Alexey Kallima, Šejla Kamerić, Jiří Kovanda, Martin Krenn, Kristina Leko, Lucas Lenglet, Jérôme Leuba, Gintaras Makarevicius, Bettina Pousttchi, Oliver Ressler, Slaven Tolj, Mona Vatamanu & Florin T

Zbyněk Baladrán, Rebecca Bournigault, Thomas Galler, Heinrich Gartentor, Hanswalter Graf mit den Widerstands-Allstars, Marina Gržinić & Aina Šmid, Jana Gunstheimer, Fabrice Gygi, Thomas Hirschhorn, Alexey Kallima, Šejla Kamerić, Jiří Kovanda, Martin Krenn, Kristina Leko, Lucas Lenglet, Jérôme Leuba, Gintaras Makarevicius, Bettina Pousttchi, Oliver Ressler, Slaven Tolj, Mona Vatamanu & Florin Tudor, Costa Vece