Lukas Birk. Kafkanistan

20.06.2009 - 18.07.2009

Anniart, Beijing / Zhongguo

Kafkanistan – is a world created by Austrian multi-media artist Lukas Birk and Irish ethnographer Sean Foley. It explores present day tourism to conflict zones in Afghanistan and neighboring countries. The name Kafkanistan was inspired by Kafka’s The Castle, a book whose protagonist journeys through a world unknown to him, full of rumors and misleading stories. He's never sure whom to trust or what to believe in.



In the course of three years the two explorers at the centre of this exhibition journeyed several times into Afghanistan and the neighboring countries following reckless tourists, exaggerated rumors and miss-interpreted fear.... Having publishing a book and film on the subject and exhibited several parts of Kafkanistan in Europe and Asia, artist Lukas Birk, currently resident in Beijing, decided to show Kafkanistan with all its stories and layers in 798. The exhibition is a multi-media installation of stories, objects, video screenings and installation pieces: a physical world that embodies a journey out of the ordinary. A highlight of the show will be an interactive photo corner where visitors can dress up in tribal Afghan dress. In the style of the Kafkan protagonists. “I always wanted to create a physical space that represents Kafkanistan and the complexity of its nature," explained Birk. "The show in 798 will be fun and exciting. I feel Beijing and especially 798 need more such fun shows."
[Quelle: http://www.anniart.com/]