Solidarity Acttion #3: CENTRE FOR CONTEMPORARY ART UJAZDOWSKI CASTLE, WARSAW

Battle of Berlin '45

Berlin: Spreepark

April 29, 2012, from 2 pm

Warsaw: Park in front of the CCA Ujazdowski Castle

May 13, 2012, from 2 pm

As a "Solidarity Action" with the 7th Berlin Biennale, two re-enactments based on the last battles of the Second World War in April and May 1945, which led to the final defeat of the Third Reich, take place. One happens in Berlin and the second in Warsaw. The actions are staged by members of re-enactment groups from Poland, and take the form of popular public events relating to history and its use in creating current political and social consciousness. CCA Ujazdowski Castle decided to respond to the call of the curators of the 7th Berlin Biennale and their concept of using art as a direct and effective tool by presenting a performative practice belonging not exclusively to the strategies of contemporary art or theater, but which is rather part of the practices of creating national identity, politics, and re-working history. KP

Concept and realization: Maciej Mielecki, Warsaw

Re-enactment groups: Walhalla Inscenizacje Historyczne, GHR Viking, GHR Pionier, Trzygłów Pokazy Historyczne

Coordination: Kaja Pawełek, CCA Ujazdowski Castle, Warsaw

Organizer: Fundacja Sztuka i Współczesność (Foundation Art and Present Time), Warsaw

Filmed documentation of the re-enactments will be on view in the Deutschlandhaus venue of the 7th Berlin Biennale and also at the CCA Ujazdowski Castle in Warsaw.