Art is either plagiarism or revolution, or: something is definitely going to happen here

The Museum of Revolution in the park of Friendship, New Belgrade, was founded as an institution in 1959. Architect Vjenceslav Richter, who received the second ex-equo price, was chosen to realize the museum. Initially, its location was planned in the complex of cultural institutions near the river Sava, but it was moved to block 13 in the park, between the buildings of Palace of Federation and Central Committee of Communist Party. Its main entrance was planned to be at the Boulevard of Lenin (now Mihaljo Pupin). The Museum of Revolution was supposed to be opened in 1981, but just the foundations were laid. All one can see today is a huge concrete platform with iron poles sticking out.

Action
The Museum of Revolution that never materialized, was activated as a public event on Saturday December 1, 2007, from noon until 6 pm. Starting from nothing, ending in nothing, it slowly reaches its end until it is totally dark. Something has happened here.

What is a museum? According to the international Council of Museums, it is: 'a non-profit making, permanent institution in the service of society and of its development - open to the public- which acquires, conserves, researches, communicates and

Art is either plagiarism or revolution, or: something is definitely going to happen here

exhibits, for purposes of study, education and enjoyment, material evidence of people and their environment.'
Few know about revolution, its causes its consequences. It has become a print on t-shirts. Icons have become fashion. Is there a new type of revolution in the gaps of our society? With new rules, new presences?
The action emphasizes on the possibility and impossibility to present, show, conserve and exhibit an experience. It explores different levels of communication, like excitement, boredom and the wish to recall. It deals with what can be implied, instead of wanting to be explicit.

The material recorded during the action is recorded by 4 different camera teams, and is used for the production of a film (video, 30 min.). A blue-print poster is published as an insert in Open Magazine, vol. 14: Art as a Public Issue, see Open). Several installations and a neon work with 'start-up problems' is produced as well. The making of the film is meanwhile evolving as a continuous project: Bik Van der Pol continue to work with bands and musical groups on a score reflecting on revolution, community and the issue of tim(e)(ing), see Art and Research