From the e-mail to Kathrin Rhomberg, curator for European Biennial of Contemporary Art - Manifesta 3
…
Thinking about concept of Manifesta 3 and about myself as an artist coming form Bosnia and Herzegovina to
Slovenia I immediately knew what is the issue I wanted to focus on.
As a citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina I can freely (visa free) enter in just a few countries in the world.
When I wish to enter Slovenia I need visa which I can get only if I am on business trip or if a friend invites
me for visit. At Slovenian border I enter Slovenia trough the entrance with the sign ‘OTHERS’. When Slovenians
are travelling to other European countries they are also using the ‘OTHERS' entrance at the border crossing.
Who are those 'OTHERS'?
What am I doing at the European Biennial of Contemporary Art ( IN Ljubljana???) as 'OTHER'?
Borders are not in our heads they are the FACTS.
There is an ideal site for my work in Ljubljana; it is Tromostovlje, The Three Bridges in the center of the city.
I would like to put signs for European Union (EU) and OTHERS on the bridges. In such a way, casual passers
by who are crossing the bridges will be in the same situation as those who are crossing real country borders.
Both will be divided into those who are belonging to the EU and those who are OTHERS. Also, to underline this
paradox even more, I will put different signs on different sides of the bridge, so coming from the different
directions one will be "member" of the EU or an OTHER. Reality that I am facing (together with many other OTHERS)
will be moved from the border to the centre of Ljubljana.
"Free world, Europe without the boundaries...”.
Is the border place were we should find out who we really are?
Do the Slovenians (pedestrians) know who they are?
...
17.04.2000
Sejla Kameric