AKTO 6: Contemporary Art Festival

This months cover featuring AHa Piponska
project coordinator for Loft in the RedZone
She was also PR and Production manager 
for AKTO

Filip Jovanovski, of Bitola Macedonia.
Photo courtesy of AKTO.

Often in life its amazing what you might find, and come to know, through meeting just one person. And through an exchange of mind, heart, and things left un-said, you realize a little more about your world. For the past 5 years in Bitola, Macedonia a contemporary arts festival called AKTO has taken place. This year was #6 was certainly the best yet. AKTO's main objective "is to open the cultural frame works of a modern society through 'recomposing' and redefining them in a new context". The festival's program is based on two concepts, the first is space/location. Locations are transformed in terms of their previous meanings. Artwork is taken from their standard locations(museums, galleries, etc)and used for presenting art in an alternative environment. 

Filip Jovanovski, one of the Artists & creative
organizers of the festival. Photo
courtesy of AKTO

While this concept is not new,(through circumstance various artist's has had to resort to this very concept)the difference is the reason why. It is highly modern in its goals, execution and results, often leading to spectacular presentations. If your in New York city, go to City Hall park while there's time and check-out Sol Lewitt's "Structures"(See blog "Articles"- Sol Lewitt). Another great example is "The Gates, by Christo & Jeanne-Claude's(Central park 2005). Objects of art placed in new or odd environments often yield a charming, psychological and emotional problem for the viewer. This concept has been known to cause bouts of anger, apathy, fear, prejudice, contempt, love, and silent emotional understanding. The second concept is the theme for this years festival. In 1953, on the walls of Seine street in Paris, Guy Debord wrote: "Ne travaillez jamais"/never work! Precisely 58 years later on Solunska street in Bitola, the following was written: (Never)work!    

The turn out for the opening was great, lots of support.
Photo courtesy of AKTO.

Walter Steinacher, of Austria. 
Photo courtesy of AKTO

This coincidence was put to use as the theme of this years AKTO festival for contemporary arts. "Once again we will try to go behind the idea of the work, in emotional and material sense, and its meaning today, in contemporary context through the work of about thirty artist. If you would like to know more go to:www.aktofestival.com "Art is the reason, art is the way". Article by K.K.W.

Zoran Poposki, of Macedonia Photo courtesy of AKTO

Filip Jovanovski,  of Bitola Macedonia. Photo courtesy of AKTO

Photo courtesy of AKTO

Dragana Zarevska, of Macedonia Photo courtesy of AKTO

Kanal 103 installation, Macedonia Photo courtesy of AKTO

Beatrice ANdre, of France. Photo courtesy of AKTO

"Believe it or not, the future is Macedonia"
Photo courtesy of AKTO

Kanal 103 installation, Macedonia. 
Photo courtesy of AKTO