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Sat, Feb 11 2012
Union of Bulgarian Artists offers David Cerny a hand
Yordan Mirchev, head of the Union of Bulgarian Artists
Photo: Ivan Grigorov
The Union of Bulgarian Artists (UBA) has offered to host the artwork of Czech artist David Cerny who was banned from exhibiting in a gallery in the city of Plovdiv owned by the city hall.
On October 9 2009, a statement signed by UBA head Yordan Mirchev invited Cerny to exhibit his work at UBA's gallery in Sofia at 6 Shipka Str.
The reason for the invitation was the ban that Plovdiv mayor Slavcho Atanassov issued against Cerny exhibiting his works in the city hall's Banya Starinna gallery. Cerny was invited to take part in an exhibition organised by curator Emil Mirazchiev which is scheduled to be opened on October 10 2009.
However, because of Cerny's art installation which depicted Bulgaria as a collection of Turkish toilets (it was put on display at the European Commission building in Brussels during the Czech EU presidency), and the negative public reaction in Bulgaria and the then government, Atanassov decided not to let it enter the gallery.
"The person who insulted Bulgaria has no place in city hall galleries. He can exhibit in any of the private galleries in town but not in premises managed by the city hall" Atanassov said, adding that two policemen would wait for Cerny outside the gallery should he try to enter.
Atanssov's decision was welcomed by ultra-nationalist Ataka party, but was criticised by other parties and a number of Bulgarian artists. To cool things down, Prime Minister Boiko Borissov said that he would invite Cerny for lunch in Sofia on October 11 2009.
Because of the row, UBA said it was ready to give its premises to Cerny who, it had been intended, would exhibit the black cloth which covered his art installation after Bulgaria complained to the Czech Republic in January.
"The artwork can be shown in UBA's gallery without the presence of policemen and without any other restrictions whatsoever," the UBA statement said.
"Cultural process should be decided between art and public not between art and those in power," it said. "As the largest union of artists in Bulgaria, we protect the right of artist's expression no matter if we like or not".
Cerny has not yet said whether he would go to Plovdiv or not.
On October 9 2009, a statement signed by UBA head Yordan Mirchev invited Cerny to exhibit his work at UBA's gallery in Sofia at 6 Shipka Str.
The reason for the invitation was the ban that Plovdiv mayor Slavcho Atanassov issued against Cerny exhibiting his works in the city hall's Banya Starinna gallery. Cerny was invited to take part in an exhibition organised by curator Emil Mirazchiev which is scheduled to be opened on October 10 2009.
However, because of Cerny's art installation which depicted Bulgaria as a collection of Turkish toilets (it was put on display at the European Commission building in Brussels during the Czech EU presidency), and the negative public reaction in Bulgaria and the then government, Atanassov decided not to let it enter the gallery.
"The person who insulted Bulgaria has no place in city hall galleries. He can exhibit in any of the private galleries in town but not in premises managed by the city hall" Atanassov said, adding that two policemen would wait for Cerny outside the gallery should he try to enter.
Atanssov's decision was welcomed by ultra-nationalist Ataka party, but was criticised by other parties and a number of Bulgarian artists. To cool things down, Prime Minister Boiko Borissov said that he would invite Cerny for lunch in Sofia on October 11 2009.
Because of the row, UBA said it was ready to give its premises to Cerny who, it had been intended, would exhibit the black cloth which covered his art installation after Bulgaria complained to the Czech Republic in January.
"The artwork can be shown in UBA's gallery without the presence of policemen and without any other restrictions whatsoever," the UBA statement said.
"Cultural process should be decided between art and public not between art and those in power," it said. "As the largest union of artists in Bulgaria, we protect the right of artist's expression no matter if we like or not".
Cerny has not yet said whether he would go to Plovdiv or not.
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David Cerny is not coming to Bulgaria, feels offended
The controversial Czech artist felt offended by the reaction of Plovidv mayor who banned him from a city art gallery.
Policemen will prevent David Cerny entering Plovdiv's city hall gallery
Plovdiv mayor Slavcho Atanassov will not compromise but is ready to offer Cerny a tour of the city’s historical sites
Czech artist David Cerny banned from Plovdiv city hall
The person who insulted Bulgaria could be welcomed in a coffee shop and in any other private building, but not in premises of the city hall, Plovdiv mayor says.
Ataka opposes David Cerny's visit to Plovdiv
The artist, whose satirical artwork depicted Bulgaria as a Turkish toilet, is scheduled to attend the opening of an exhibition in Plovdiv
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Valery or whatever your name, obviously you haven’t cleaned it yourself if it is still there. In response to your peppery comments about me (true Bulgarian), I only like to advise you to shove your preaching back in your throat, you stupid twat.Touching the subject Michael Shields, he’s innocent.
Valeri,
member State or in this situation another EU member State has a right to interfere on the basis of fusing its citizens rights with the State interest (UK).
The origins of this was stated by the International Court of Justice in 1924 which it stated:
"It is an elementary principle of international law that a State is entitled to protect its subjects, when injured by acts contrary to international law committed by another State, from whom they have been unable to obtain satisfaction through the ordinary channels. [...]
Read the full comment By taking up the case of one of its subjects and by resorting to diplomatic action or international judicial proceedings on his behalf, a State is in reality asserting its own rights – its right to ensure, in the person of its subjects, respect for the rules of international law."
"... on show for us to view.unfortunatly nobody does anything about cleaning such sites and we trip on them wherever we go..."
Of course it will never cross your mind to remove it yourself, right? Like a true Bulgarian, you make a mental note as to its location, and for the next 10 years will make sure you don't bump into it...
It's always someone else isn't doing it in BG yet we don't move our asses to do it, nor do we want to pay taxes for it.
The [...]
Read the full comment we proceed to go post on the internet that there are toilets on my way when I ride my bike....
It will take a while before things change in BG....
"On what legal basis is the Mayor preventing by force of the police an EU citizen from entering the exhibition to view the remaing work."
On the same legal basis Jack Straw disregarded the conviction in the court of law in a member state. If the laws don't apply equally, there no point of having them. EU is a joke and if they allowed the Brits to dump on their laws like that, anything is possible...
Most of the EU nations were ridiculed on that instalation and only the bulgarian politics made such a big noise over it.I was riding my bike the other day just outside Sofia and among all the rubbish dumped on the side of the road,there was a toilet as well.that was not a turkish toilet but somebody's complete bathroom rubble nicely put on show for us to view.unfortunatly nobody does anything about cleaning such sites and we trip on them wherever we go.i would like to take most of the bg. mayors for a walk.it's a big kenef(loo) out there.
So his work is not being displayed.
On what legal basis is the Mayor preventing by force of the police an EU citizen from entering the exhibition to view the remaing work.
I think a quick representation to the EU authorities - by-passing Sofia is called for. The mayor clearly lives in a fantasy land where Communism still rules, and the rights of the citizen do not exist.
Perhaps the EU should susbend all and any funding - absoluitely- to any project or cause in Plovdiv - public [...]
Read the full comment or private.