The front line of hybrid warfare

We invite you to an art installation – a solo exhibition of a pair of artists Štefan Oliš & Lukáš Matejka from Trenčín, who are dedicated to culture, new media art, interactivity and art in public and gallery space. The exhibition will take place at the Strange Baron (Nábrežie slobody 552/1, Púchov) is a cultural centre connected with a café, a bookshop and a terrace in the park.

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.