Research project funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), 2014-2015
The research project focuses on German-Portuguese artists’ relations in the second half of the 20th century, which – although an important aspect of the artistic exchange between artists in the various European art centers – have, so far, found only little recognition and were rarely examined by scholars. Particular emphasis is on the collaboration and the cooperation of artists in the (informel) networks of Fluxus and the neo avant-garde and their significance for modern and contemporary artistic practices.
In the center of the research project stand the examination of the role that German and Portuguese artists of Fluxus and the neo avant-garde played in local, regional, national, and international European art centers during the period 1950 to 1980 and the aspects of their collaboration practices as well as the concrete network structures and the practical forms of their artistic exchange.
The concrete objectives of the research project are:
- reconstruction and deconstruction as well as critical examination and evaluation of the artistic exchange between German Fluxus and neo avant-garde artists and artist groups and their Portuguese colleagues
- Mapping of the most important avenues of cultural transfer between Germany and Portugal during the period 1950 to 1980
- Analysis of the network structures and exchange strategies, in particular
- joint exhibitions and publications
- collaboration in journals
- joint events such as soirees, matinees, readings, cabaret, theatre, and musical performances
- the innovative use of the new media (collage, assemblage, abstract film, etc.)
- political actions and social provocations
- other cooperation projects
- the role of transnational artist groups and artist couples
The larger goal of the project is to establish research collaborations with other colleagues and research institutions in Europe in order to jointly work on a comprehensive study of the role of artists’ networks in the 20th century and its importance for European art, society, and politics.
Participants:
- Prof. Lucia Matos, PhD, University of Porto
- Ricardo Areias, PhD candidate, University of Porto
- Prof. Dr. Isabel Wünsche, Jacobs University, Bremen
- Nina Blum de Almeida, PhD candidate, Jacobs University, Bremen
- Julia Psilitelis, 3rd-year BA student, Jacobs University, Bremen