CENTRO DE CREACIÓN CONTEMPORÁNEA

WHO MAKES EUROPE?

Artist residence and exhibition about Europe
Fecha inicio
Fecha fin
Espacio
Nave 16. Centro de residencias
Exhibition result of six European artists residencies in Madrid, plus a set of works selected by curator Susanne Hinrichs reflecting on the theme of Europeanisms in the contemporary context.
Residencies: 22nd of May - 8th of June Exhibition: 7th of June - 14th of July

Is there a European identity? Can we consider Europe as a whole, as a single political and cultural body? What does it mean to be French, German, Polish or Spanish and European at the same time? In the current historical, economic and social moment that Europe is going through, the question of identity is more present than ever in all member States. This exhibition is the result of six European artists residencies in Madrid, plus a set of works selected by curator Susanne Hinrichs reflecting on the theme of Europeanisms in the contemporary context.
Participating Artists

Fabian Reimann, Lukas Hofer, Elise Florenty y Marcel Türkowsky, Cécile Ibarra, Pablo Serret de Ena, Antonio R. Montesinos (Residencies)
  Francis Hunger, Julian Öffler y Paida Larsen, Eleonore de Montesquiou, Filippo Berta, Adi Matei, Ciprian Muresan, Malgosia Markiewicz, Marco Godoy, Klara Hobza, Patricia Reis and Virgile Novarina.
Reflections on European Identity
Susanne Hinrichs
, exhibition curator.
  “Europe is not a place, but rather an idea” (Bernard-Henri Lévy)   Identity is a quality that refers to a singular individual or a group of individuals with similar characteristics. Whereas the individual subject is isolated from other subjects by the means of their specific singularity, group cohesion creates loyalty and solidarity between its members, although one of the possible outcomes of this may be their differentiation from other communities.    If Europe doesn’t exist as a place, as put forward by Bernard-Henri Lévy, then what is that makes European identity so precious? Can Europe be based solely upon its political, socio-economic, and cultural similarities? Is it enough to have an agreed corporate blue print held as a flag and anthem, the free movement of goods, a common E.U. citizenship, a common currency and a shared space of freedom, security and justice to create a European identity? Indeed, due to the last few years of economic difficulties, it seems essential to strengthen this internal bond in order to construct an entity with which European citizens can identify themselves with despite any differences they may have.   Despite their closeness in proximity and comparable characteristics, the integral elements of Europe differ in language, tradition, history and culture. How much individuality, and alongside it, identity remains in a country and its inhabitants when being part of a greater whole? Can Europe only be created out of a renunciation of one’s self, or perhaps the consciousness of European member states will be able to retain its personal character in spite of it all.     The project WHO MAKES EUROPE/QUIÉN HACE EUROPA specifically raises this question. The show is the results of the work of seven artists that have created works specifically related to the context of living together in Madrid and a selection of works from young artists from numerous other European countries. In this exhibition, Matadero Madrid and German curator Susanne Hinrichs reflect on Europe and its identity through contemporary art.   The context of this project is the 50th anniversary of the Franco-German Treaty of Friendship and has been supported by the Ministries of Foreign Relations from both countries. Represented by their embassies in Madrid, as well as by the European Commission. 



*Photo credits: 
1. Marco Godoy
2. Virgile Novarina
























WHO MAKES EUROPE?
WHO MAKES EUROPE?
Ficha artística
Opening Night
6th June, 8pm