Thu 13.02.2003 Lecture: Muntadas

From 24 May to 13 July 2003, the Museum am Ostwall Dortmund presents the exhibition On Translation: The Museum, a solo exhibition by the artist Antoni MUNTADAS, born in Barcelona in 1942 and based in New York since 1971. With On Translation: The Museum, MUNTADAS is presented in Germany for the first time in the context of a major solo exhibition.

MUNTADAS is considered one of the early pioneers of international media art. As early as 1974, he realised an independent local television programme in Cadaqués, Spain, which was broadcast at various public locations over four days, circumventing the surveillance apparatus of Franco’s regime.

To this day, MUNTADAS’ work investigates the political, economic and cultural implications of systems of representation. His subjects include language, “old” and “new” media, as well as design (typography, furniture, television sets, television formats, etc.), architecture, institutions and modern “archetypes” such as the stadium, the negotiating table, the national flag, the home or the limousine.

Political Ads (with Marshall Reese), for example, is an ongoing video compilation of US presidential campaign commercials dating back to 1956. With every new election, additional advertisements are added; the work currently covers a period from 1956 to 2000.

The exhibition focuses on MUNTADAS’ project series “On Translation”, initiated in Helsinki in 1995. Comprising nearly 30 individual projects, the series has taken place in public spaces and art institutions in various cities, as well as on the internet and through videoconferencing.

The “On Translation” series examines mechanisms of translation, interpretation and mediation. The translation of languages plays an equally important role as the transfer of messages between different media, systems of signs and mediating institutions. Other subjects explored within the series include the effects of financial transfers or the changing meanings of the US national flag after 11 September 2001 – from a symbol of consolation to an emblem of patriotism and ultimately a merchandising object.

Ahead of the exhibition, MUNTADAS will give a lecture on 13 February at 6 pm at Dortmund University of Applied Sciences. In addition to insights into his artistic practice and working methods, the lecture will focus on the On Translation series. The lecture will be held in English.