Von Maja Vardjan ,Tina Smrekar.
Von Maja Vardjan ,Tina Smrekar.
Art
Galerija Skuc
The foundation of the Skuc Gallery at the end of the 1970s created a counterpart to the dominant exhibition policy of the established national institutions in Slovenia; in the 1980s it became the centre of (sub)culture in Slovenia and it remains one of the most visited exhibition premises in the country. The focus on local developments represents a significant segment of the Gallery’s program but at the same time the involvement in the international cultural industry has become a growing part of the daily routine. For example, »Mobile Archive« (März 2008) was curated together with Galit Eliat, director of the Israeli Centre for the Digital Arts. The Gallery has been representing its artists at international art fairs since 2000. Stari trg 21, T: +386 1 4213140, www.galerija.skuc-drustvo.si
Galerija Kapelica
The Kapelica gallery, housed in a former chapel, has been following a profiled and exciting concept since its creation in 1995. Kapelica has had what many would consider a controversial program throughout the 1990s with a focus on installation and performative body art. The gallery is still running installations of visual and sound art, but has shifted its focus from body art to artistic interpretations of technology and bio art. Kersnikova 4, T: +386/1/348 0302, www.kapelica.org
Galerija Gregor Podnar
After seven years as the artistic director of Skuc Gallery, in 2003 Gregor Podnar started the first Slovenian commercial gallery also participating in major international art fairs. The gallery was founded in the city of Kranj, moved to Ljubljana and opened an additional space last year in Berlin. The gallery represents Slovenian and international artists from, as he puts it himself, peripheries, be that in Slovenia, Hungary or Scandinavia. Among others, he exhibits Irwin, Tobias Putrih, Dan Perjovschi, Yuri Leiderman, Vadim Fiskin, Nika Span, Attila Csörgö and Alexander Gutke. Kolodvorska 6, T: +386/1/430 49 29, www.dum-club.si/ggpodnar, www.gregorpodnar.com
Moderna Galerija
The national Museum of Modern Art houses a permanent display of works and also presents exhibitions of contemporary art. Its offshoot space, Mala Galerija, serves as an interesting shop-window like venue on a prominent street in the city centre for more innovative exhibitions. The two main buildings – at Tomciceva and at Metelkova – are under extensive renovation work. Due to renovation, the museum’s funding for an exhibition program has been severely restricted and as a consequence a number of spaces have gathered in the action »Hosting Moderna Galerija« to express their support for Moderna Galerija, and to give Moderna Galerija an opportunity to have some continuity in its program. The reopening is planned for the end of 2008. Moderna Galerija, Tomciceva 14, Mala Galerija, Slovenska 35, Museum of Contemporary Art, Metelkova 22, T: +386/1/241 6800, www.mg-lj.si
Galerija in center P74 / P74 Center and Gallery
The non-profit space P74 was founded by artist and curator Tadej Pogacar. Located on the outskirts of Ljubljana, it promotes diverse programs of contemporary art and culture and supports young and innovative artists and curators. Since 2006, P74 awards the OHO award for young artists, and furthermore has an open call for the realization of artist books. The centre has just recently opened a new small space called Kapsula (Capsule) in an underground passage in the city centre. Prusnikova 74, T: +386/1/516 1581, www.zavod-parasite.si
Mestni muzej Ljubljana / Vzigalica
The City Museum of Ljubljana, daringly renovated by Ofis arhitekti, shows a new permanent exhibition »The Faces of Ljubljana«. Hosting diverse events has transformed the museum into lively cultural centre, while its recently opened Vzigalica gallery works as a platform for new projects that focus on phenomenon of urbanism. Mestni muzej Ljubljana, Gosposka 15, Vzigalica, Trg francoske revolucije 7, T: +386/1/241 2500, www.mm-lj.si
Galerija Ganes Pratt
The Ganes Pratt Gallery is a new initiative that promotes mostly emerging artists from the younger generation, several of whom have graduated from the Venice art academy. Among others, the gallery represents artists like Saso Vrabic, Janez Janca, Viktor Bernik and Meta Grgurevic It hosts regular solo and group exhibitions and tries to act as a producer or co-producer for its artists. Gregorciceva ulica 3, T: +386/1/251 16 33, www.ganes.si
Galerija Alkatraz
Alkatraz emerged in the context of the alternative cultural centre Metelkova City, which is located on an ex-Yugoslavian army complex. In the past, Alkatraz has presented mostly works from Metelkova ateliers, but the gallery’s program has evolved into a very full program with exhibitions changing every two weeks or less, showing works of other local and foreign artists. The gallery also hosts Contemporary Art Tea Parties, monthly meetings that promote discussion and dialogue within contemporary art. Masarykova 24, T: +386/1/ 434 03 45, www.kudmreza.org/alkatraz
ARCHITECTURE / DESIGN
T5 Project Space
Located in a closed Tobacco Factory, T5 Project Space works as a platform that promotes industrial design as an integral part of culture. The program consists of exhibitions on international designers as well as upcoming local talent, a lecture series and occasional second-hand sale events. Tobacna 5, Objekt 6, T: +386/1/241 7630, www.t-5.si
Arhitekturni muzej Ljubljana
The Architecture Museum in Fuzine castle is slowly waking up from its long winter sleep. Check for periodical lectures and visit the Ljubljana’s most renowned architect Joze Plecnik’s collection, displayed at a separate location at the architect’s cosy home in Trnovo. Arhitekturni muzej Ljubljana, Grad Fuzine, Pot na Fuzine 2, T: +386/1/540 97 98, Plecnikova hisa, Karunova 4, T: +386/1/280 16 00, www.aml.si
Festivals
Ljubljana is a city of festivals, there are really a lot of them. For example,»City of Women«, an International Festival of Contemporary Arts, currently in its 14th year, presents exhibitions, performances, concerts, workshops etc., and is held annually in October. www.cityofwomen.org
Going out
Metelkova City
These former military barracks have been occupied since the beginning of the 90’s and have developed into the hub of Ljubljana’s independent cultural scene, while still holding a more or less autonomous position. Here you can party at night in several clubs, and depending on the night, you can listen to free jazz, hiphop, electronic or hard core, go to theatre shows, visit to an exhibition, or just stay overnight in Celica Hostel, Metelkova’s former prison. Masarykova 24, Metelkova Mesto, www.metelkova.org
K4
This legendary club was founded in 1989 and since then has been the symbol of young urban culture and musical development in Slovenia. The club presents the newest and most experimental musical genres. Its reputation was earned by the enthusiastic work of program managers as well as by all the young people who put their creative energies into presenting experimental, non-commercial, alternative and modern musical cultural events. Club K4 is the place for students, intellectuals and innovators of all generations. Kersnikova 4, www.klubk4.org
Sleeping in
Hostel Celica
Celica offers the unique experience of sleeping in a former military prison cell. Twenty cells were transformed by different artists and architects. The Celica is similar to a boutique hotel, despite shared bathrooms, and has youth hostel prices. Metelkova 8, Ljubljana, T: +386/1/230 97 00, www.souhostel.com