Venue: Župný dom, Mierové námestie 46, Trenčín
2026 August 7th – December 7th
The exhibition evolved from the curators’ previous project, ‘Universal Hospitality’ (Vienna and Prague, 2015–16), which explored the themes of nationalism and populism in the context of the refugee crisis. In hindsight, it’s clear that these were just the tip of the iceberg. Over time, many other issues have come to light. In the present day, it is difficult to identify one pressing issue, as they are all interconnected.
Our exhibition attempts to explore the urgent issues of our time by showcasing artworks created by a group of exceptional artists. Strong artistic positions will encourage visitors to look beyond the surface and bring global issues closer to people, offering both macro and micro perspectives. A wide variety of genres, including installations, paintings, sculptures, videos and textiles, will populate the newly renovated building, which will open to the public with this exhibition. Most of the artworks have been commissioned and are site-specific, created for this occasion and this building.
Internationally renowned artists who have been exhibited at the most prestigious art show in the world, the Venice Biennale, will come to Trenčín, including the Disobedience Archive from the last biennale, as well as Anca Benera and Arnold Estefan, who are represented in a solo show in the Romanian pavilion at the ongoing biennale. One of the newest works by Hito Steyerl, a top contemporary artist shown all around the world, will be on display: a mesmerizing video installation.
At the heart of the exhibition lies the Disobedience Archive, which provides a panoramic view of our turbulent times through the lens of people’s protests and restores agency to the people. Renowned international artists offer their insights into different aspects of the precarious situation in which we find ourselves, such as economic and social inequalities, gender imbalances and the oppression of minorities, which are growing rapidly in the shadow of ecological disaster. The global landscape is marked by heightened geopolitical tensions, wars, and expansionism, all of which are invoked in the exhibition.
Some artworks also consider the impact of our technology-, social media- and AI-driven environment, exploring how these factors shape our world and our relationship with technology. The exhibition also explores the origins of the present-day troubles through time travel back to the socialist era. Meanwhile, some works offer a glimpse into the future or put forward alternative ideas for dealing with the multiple predicaments from a glocal perspective. These works activate solidarity, radical care and make us more sensitive towards minorities and invisible groups.
Through the power of art, the audience will be able to approach and understand the recent situation in ways that are different from those of politics and the media. The artworks in the exhibition help us to find our way in the world and provide us with coping strategies.
As part of the collateral events, there will be an exceptional and rare opportunity to meet famous artists in person, who are coming to Trenčín. The Cooking Sections and Hito Steyerl will deliver lecture performances in KKC Hviezda, and Sanja Iveković, the leading figure in feminist art in the East-Central European region, will share her artistic views with the audience in the unique building, of Round Army House (Okruhový dom armády). These events might attract attention from other cities and neighboring countries as well.
This exhibition brings to Trenčín art collectives, such as the Disobedience Archive (Marco Scotini, IT), Cooking Sections – Alon Schwabe & Daniel Fernández Pascual (GB) and Border Emergency Collective (PL) and renowned artists such as Kateryna Aliinyk (UA), Zbyněk Baladrán (CZ), Anca Benera & Arnold Estefan (RO/AT), András Cséfalvay (SK), Hito Steyerl (DE), Ferenc Gróf & Zsófia Gyenes (FR/HU), Sanja Iveković (HR), Szabolcs KissPál (HU), Zdena Kolečková (CZ), Oliver Ressler (AT), Emília Rigová (SK), Lucia Tkáčová (SK), Martin Zetová (CZ), Artur Żmijewski (PL), Jaro Varga (SK).
Curators: Edit András and Ilona Németh
Architectural design: Zbyněk Baladrán
Project manager: Katarína Jankechová
