"There is no history. There are histories. History is your memory and it is what you accept as your memory. History is a point of view, or a reality that is squeezed between points of view." (Özlem Günyol & Mustafa Kunt)
The Kulturkreis der deutschen Wirtschaft (Association of Arts and Culture of the German Economy at the Federation of German Industries) has been awarding the ars viva prize to young Germany-based visual artists every year since the 1950s. The theme in 2012/13 is "Systems". Systems are based on systematics. They stem from methodological approaches and lead to logically founded mental constructs. Systems may be self-contained and continuously reproduce them-selves. They are highly susceptible to external influences, reacting sensitively to disturbance or being capable of development. Systems suggest security and clarity.
"A system is a tool and so it helps you as long as the tool doesn't become the subject. When it does, it starts to harm you. Don't get lost in your own system!" (Melvin Moti)
With the aid of systems it is possible to recognise structural patterns in nature, in society or, for example, in personal behaviours.
"I started looking more explicitly at some communication systems and some ways they look and behave as they became more central in my life." (Simon Denny)
Awarded to Simon Denny, Özlem Günyol & Mustafa Kunt and Melvin Moti, this year's prize distinguishes artists whose works revolve in different ways around the subject of systems. The spectrum of topics is broad, ranging from the analysis of digital media, including Internet communication, to reflection on visual and neurological phenomena, to examinations of cultural identity. In the exhibition at Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein the artists will react to the situation on site with their works.
