National culture and society: Exhibition on migration problems in the modern world in St. Petersburg

Video art exhibition "Towards the other" on the problems of migration in the modern world, is held in the Peter and Paul Fortress (St. Petersburg) from 10 to 29 October 2011.

The exhibition showcases a video project by a Dutch artist and anthropologist Micke Ball and the video "Museum Songspiel. Netherlands 20XX» by a Russian group "What do I do?".

The exhibition in the Peter and Paul Fortress gives several points of view on the culture of migration in the modern world.

Mick Ball is exhibiting a video project that brings together two series of works: "Migration stories" and "Nothing is lost."

"Migration stories" are 13 video novels, where migrants from different countries tell the story of their life. With this work the artist draws attention to the social, political and cultural changes undergone by the countries with a large influx of migrants, where the old traditions of hospitality are beginning to be displaced with a fervent desire to protect the borders.

 "Nothing is lost" is a series of eight short stories told by women from different countries about their children who fled their homeland in search of a better life.

Russian group "What do I do?" also demonstrates its view on the subject of migration.   On the order of the Van Abbe Museum in Eindhoven (Netherlands) the group created the "Museum Songspiel. Netherlands 20XX" video, telling about a group of migrants without a residence permit, who lodged at the Museum of Modern Art to avoid deportation.

As part of a parallel program of the exhibition, public lectures will be delivered by Micke Ball, members of the band "What do I do?", and other Russian and foreign specialists (artists, sociologists, anthropologists, culture experts) which in the works touch upon the issues of migration and cultural interaction.