Hegyi, Lorand (Ed.) : Aspects / Positions - 50 Years of Art in Central Europe 1949-1999

As the Iron Curtain gradually lifted in the 1980s, collectors such as Peter Ludwig began to import work by artists from the East as exotic representations of post-Socialist art. Usually the work conformed to a Western expectation that art from Eastern Europe would either deconstruct Socialist iconography or document the dire daily reality of life under Socialism. All of which perpetuated the vague impression of the East as an alien continent marked by a mythic struggle of repression and resistance. However, thanks to exhibitions such as 'Manifesta' it has become clear how problematic it is to treat it as the 'other' of Europe.

Prejudices, however, still linger. From a Western perspective it seems hard to understand that art from the former Eastern Bloc developed out of a background that was not homogeneous either historically or aesthetically. To counter these misconceptions 'Aspects/Positions. 50 Years of Art in Central Europe 1949-1999' (which is travelling to Southampton and Prague) sought to demonstrate the diversity of the historical and artistic developments in Poland, the Czech and the Slovak Republics, Hungary, Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, Croatia, Macedonia and Slovenia.

The idea of Central Europe might prompt unwelcome memories of the geopolitical heritage of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire. Yet in the context of the current debate over the borders of Europe it serves as a useful springboard to clarify the distinction between centre and periphery.