"Living Art Space"

The D.I.V.O. Institute was founded by Mark and Sonja Divo-Vectomov in 2008. It is situated in Kolin, a Czech Republican town 40 minutes outside of Prague. Its mission is to create a 'living museum' where art is displayed, created and discussed. The couple do so by inviting local and international artists to create work and hold events in the institute's four-storey villa; what is different about this space is that the villa is also Mark and Sonja's home.

Many artists have and will adjoin gallery spaces to their houses, for example H I C A and one-night-only art exhibitions like Plus One - Dundee, Scribble Pie - London and Flat01 - Glasgow, to name but a few. However, the living quarters tend to be sealed off or the house is temporarily transformed to be dismantled after the event. Thus, the spaces are perhaps installed for financial and/or autonomous reasons, rather than through concept. What is refreshing about D.I.V.O is that the living space is fully integrated within the institute, making it a very conducive environment for creating, discussing and viewing art. It also helps that Mark and Sonja are open and welcoming hosts. The two view their villa as 'inhabited sculpture', a phrase coined by Mark to describe his design of space to initiate creativity. They encourage the local community to hold meetings or events within their space, as well as hosting spontaneous salons alongside a programme of mini festivals, exhibitions and symposia. By 'letting out' the space, their institute becomes an integral part of the institute's community in Kolin, as well as raising the public's engagement with art; international artists are always present. Of course, there are negatives, and the audience that D.I.V.O. attracts is limited to mainly friends or friends of friends. Yet all artist-run spaces and/or organisations have the constant struggle of attracting an audience outwith the core art scene, often making art for artists. However, two years since its inception, the institute is in its infancy and has much room to grow. As it stands, D.I.V.O. serves as a nice retreat for artists to come hang out and potentially make work.

Founder Mark Divo has a history of creating social space through art. He was involved with Tacheles - an art house formed in 1990 by squatters in Berlin. In 2002, he founded and led the Croesus Foundation, which occupied the run-down Cabaret Voltaire in Zurich, hosting a series of events and performances which resulted in the preservation of the building. In the same year he founded the 'Collection Häuser & Wir', which is described as "an itinerant cultural formation that holds temporary art events in Europe". Whilst continuing to bring his 'inhabited sculptures' into the public sphere creating environments where sporadic soirees and artistic engagement could happen.

These have resonance within similar art projects closer to home. Temporary art events and mini festivals are springing up all over Scotland. These encourage the social nature of art and explore alternative spaces in which artists exhibit and disseminate ideas. For example, in 2009 networked artists' group A Wee Tasty hosted a programmed club night of art, performance and music at one of Glasgow's top night spots. And of course, Yuck 'n Yum continues to strive to take art to the masses through alternative distribution methods. It is through the continuation and development of these living art spaces that alternative platforms of engagement between artist and audience can occur, moving away from the rigid formality, and sometimes harsh environment, of the gallery space.

Gayle Meikle: "Living Art Space"

Yuck 'n Yum Spring 2010

« Previous page Next page »