Context
The ending of the Cold War ushered in a new phase of hope for Europe. Artists, often at the vanguard of change in society, were responding to these new conditions but were ill served by the staleness of the art world’s structures. More art institutions were springing up, but the work of young artists in the former Communist countries was rarely, if ever, shown in them. Clearly, other methods of thinking and working in art were needed. This became even clearer as the world’s social and political landscapes were radically altered by globalisation: attractive to many, but with a dark underbelly of growing nationalism and fundamentalism and (as it turned out) looming financial collapse. Against this backdrop, tranzit was formed.
Impact
tranzit exists to break the mould: challenging old art-world structures, showing new ways in which art can be made and reach its audiences, and bringing international exposure to Central European contemporary artists. Its self-organised activities span the local and the global, with tranzit units cooperating across different national, linguistic, psychological and historic borders.
Whether visible at Tate Modern or more modest settings, tranzit offers a much-needed platform for experimental procedures and visionary perspectives. It generates artistic, cultural and exhibition activities in a socially and politically aware manner, fully conscious that, in the words of one tranzit collaboration, "art always has its consequences".
Facts
Formed in 2002, the independent tranzit network now operates in Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary and the Slovak Republic. Each tranzit local ‘unit’ has its unique and autonomous way of working, deals with several artistic settings (musical, poetical, literary, performative) and manifests itself in lectures, performances, discussions, publications, exhibitions and researches. The project heads in the four countries and an ERSTE Foundation representative make up the Board of Directors, and a general assembly meets once a year. This helps forge cooperation, common goals and the sharing of content.
tranzit is making its mark on the world stage too, and was one of the three curatorial teams for 2010’s Manifesta 8.
Erste Group initiated tranzit, and local banks of the Group have long supported the project, but since 2010, ERSTE Foundation has become tranzit’s main partner.
Project Manager
Heide Wihrheim
T +43 (0)50 100 – 11092
email
