The Center for Context and Communication Kiev (CCCK) which was founded in August 2006 by Ingela Johansson (SE), Volodymyr Kuznetsov (UA) and Inga Zimprich (DE) aims to engage in revealing the history, ideological background and perspectives of the Center for Contemporary Art, Kiev (CCA). As an adjacent brainstorm structure to the CCA, CCCK investigates the institutional landscape in Ukraine, in which governmental initiatives, private investors and marginalized positions negotiate a cultural product.

CCCK has during this year, as a part of the Exteriors project, initiated by Index – The Swedish Contemporary Art Foundation, extended its investigation of the conditions for contemporary art in Ukraine, to among other places, Odessa and Lviv, and is currently showing a presentation of the Odessa part of the project at CCA Kyiv, in the exhibition Exteriors. As a satellite to Exteriors CCCK is now presenting A short institutional affair at the exhibition hall of the Union of Artists of Ukraine, in Odessa.

With the emergence of Soros Art Centers in the 1990’s a vibrant art-scene emerged around the CCA Kyiv, whereas the SCCA Odessa met an already existing locally active contemporary art movement. SCCA Odessa created several exhibitions and projects, responding to the local art context from its establishment in 1996 until its closure in the year 2000. In this part of CCCK’s ongoing project, the artists would like to draw attention to this short institutional affair: One year before its closure due to a final cease of funding, the CCA Odessa proposed two alternative projects to its funders: the establishment of a local exhibition hall versus the international promotion of a small selection of Odessa-based artists. Alluding to these unrealized ideas and in the absence of contemporary art institutions in today’s Odessa, CCCK aims in this exhibition to present a collection of artistic references to the1990s Odessa art scene as well as artistic attempts of mediating art-processes to the public.

The exhibition features works by, among others, Art Raider, Igor Chatskin, CCCK, Miroslav Kulshitsky, R.E.P. (Revolutionary Experimental Space), and involves the participation of Mihailo Rachkovetsky.

PROGRAM
Saturday 24 November, 7 pm
Performance R.E.P.
R.E.P. – Revolutionary Experimental Space are invited by CCCK to create a public communication of the content of the exhibition A small institutional affair. The artist collective known for its public actions and performances (such as the work Lyrnik, featured in the exhibition) creates a guided tour through the exhibition on Saturday at 7pm.

Sunday 25 November 5:30 pm
CCCK invites participants of the exhibition project and other guests to discuss the relation of Odessa’s artistic past to the present, the public approaches developed to communicate contemporary art to the public and Odessa’s imaginable future. With, amongst others, Mihailo Rachkovetsky (former director SCCA Odessa), Yuliya Vaganova (director CCA Kiev), Igor Gusjew (artist, Odessa), members of group R.E.P. Moderation: Inga Zimprich

The exhibition is accompanied with texts by Mihailo Rachkovetsky, Zenovi Mazurik, Bogdan Schumulovic, Nikita Kadan, Irina Starovoyt and Inga Zimprich.

A short institutional affair, an exhibition dealing with the history of Odessa art 1996 – 2000, is organized within the frame of the Exteriors project initiated by Index – The Swedish Contemporary Art Foundation, Stockholm. The exhibition in Odessa is a collaboration with CCA Kiev and Club EXIT, Odessa. Curated by Mats Stjernstedt and Helena Holmberg.

The Exteriors project is supported by: The Swedish Institute, IASPIS, Embassy of Sweden, Kyiv and Swedish Art Council. We would also like to thank the Union of Artists of Ukraine Odessa, the Center for Contemporary Art Kyiv, especially Yuliya Vaganova, Club Exit Odessa and Irina Gurkalo.

For further information about Exteriors and other Index activities, please visit www.indexfoundation.se
For further information about CCCK activities, please visit www.ccc-k.net

The exhibition hall of the Union of Artists of Ukraine
Torgovaya Street 2, Odessa, Ukraine
Open daily except Tuesday 11 am – 5 pm