Alternative Tirana. As part of the Arcipelago Balkani project, the international collective presents the first preview of a project made up of over 500 Polaroid snapshots taken during their stay in Albania in the summer of 2010. During their journey, the artists observed the reality around them, exploiting the distance that sets them apart from being inhabitants of the country.
Curated by Claudia Zanfi (Director of aMAZElab Milan) and Edi Muka (Director of TICA, Tirana)
As part of the ARCIPELAGO BALKANI project, devised by Claudia Zanfi and held in
collaboration with the Culture Office of the European Community, on the occasion of their
first solo exhibition in Tirana entitled “Alternative Tirana”, the international collective
Alterazioni Video (Milan/ Berlin/ NYC), presents the first preview of a project made up of
over 500 Polaroid snapshots taken during their stay in Albania in the summer of 2010. During
their journey, the artists observed the reality around them, exploiting the distance that sets
them apart from being inhabitants of the country. This fruitful mental state, one of active
and imaginative observation, is what all travellers find themselves in when fascinated by the
surrounding reality of a foreign country, perhaps also by virtue of the fact that they are unable
to understand it completely.
The photos of cities, beaches, breathtaking panoramas, holidays, weddings, everyday and
even intimate situations telling of the people and their lives, their great plans for the future and
the traces of the past, documented using an innovative technique, come together to offer an
original mapping of the territory and a heart-felt portrait of the country, seen also through the
eyes of its inhabitants.
During the opening, the “LAVAZH SPECIAL PARTI” will take place: an installation/
performance in which the citizens of Tirana are invited to bring along their own cars
and take part in a group car-washing session. The following will be made available: water,
soap, sponges, vacuum cleaners and everything else you might need to make your car
sparkling clean both inside and out. For the occasion, a number of commemorative t-shirts
and posters will be produced. The video of the performance will be shown in the exhibition
installed in the premises of Zeta Gallery in Tirana.
Opening: Saturday 25th June 2011, 6pm
Zeta Gallery
Abdyl Frashëri n.31, A4, Hekla Center, Tirana (Albania)
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 09:30- 14:00 17:00-20:00