The main idea of this site-specific project is a hybrid war in which Slovakia is right on the front line. First of all, it is necessary to understand what a hybrid war actually is. There are various definitions of hybrid warfare and it has taken various forms in the history of mankind. At present, the term is mainly associated with operations that provoke instability in the target countries, polarise society and cause distrust of institutions. In this way, they seek to undermine the unity and togetherness of a population that is becoming vulnerable and unwilling to actively resist threats from the outside. These operations are most closely associated with the Russian Federation, which is proving to spread a huge amount of disinformation, mainly directed at EU countries and the US. This activity has gained momentum, especially after 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea.

In this struggle, Slovakia is on the imaginary front line because of its geographical location, as it belonged to the westernmost part of the former Eastern bloc.

People here often suffer from a recollective optimism, and the polarisation is becoming more and more radical. However, there are various personalities in Slovakia, from the ranks of journalists, police officers, soldiers, but also analysts, artists and others, who are actively fighting against disinformation, opposing the practices of power, seeking the truth and trying to keep the idea of freedom and democracy alive.Through this work, the authors seek to help us become aware of what our society is currently facing, who are those who are fighting for freedom and truth in these times.They also want to draw attention to the price that they and other people on both sides of the barricade are essentially paying for it.Often times this line divides families, partners, cripples institutions, shatters dreams.

Admission: voluntary during the opening hours of the Strange Baron Café / out of hours 3€ / person

The event is publicly supported by the Fund for the Support of the Arts.

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The exhibition is dominated by a fascinating interactive installation, where the viewer has the opportunity to influence the course of direct decisions in a suicidal narrative that resembles a computer game or various live discussions. Furthermore, the site also features an immersive sound installation where the viewer can experiment with different sounds and movements. The digital part of the exhibition is contributed by the video installation with interaction Gepark, which was created in collaboration with Lukáš Matejko. In addition, traditional art forms such as painting and graphics, or batik, are also presented.

The main focus of the artist Štefan Oliš, who currently works as a teacher at the School of Art Industry in Trenčín, is to draw attention to the themes of violence, criminality and social problems. He works with video art, interactive installations, sound installations, art performances, objects, as well as painting and graphics. Through his diverse body of work, he often seeks to sarcastically and ironically encourage viewers to reflect on human life, its value, meaning and interpersonal relationships, as well as the decadence of society and critique of the contemporary system.

In addition to his artistic activities, he is active in the TRAKT civic association, of which he is also the founder. He participates in cultural events, exhibitions, festivals, events. He organizes cultural activities in the field of contemporary trends in visual arts.

His other activities are mainly dominated by video production, which is often intertwined with the commercial aspect. In addition, he is also involved in advertising work, focusing on unusual elements and projections that often straddle the line between artwork and advertising.

The exhibition is open to the public on 8, 17 and 25 November 2023 from 17:00 to 20:00. The event is supported by the Fund for the Support of the Arts from public funds.

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