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Fri-Art 81

Fri-Art 81

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The exhibition took place from 21 August to 18 October 1981. It occupied the whole building: the sleeping quarters, the cellar, the corridors, the library, the refectory, the façade. The artists created their works on-site. Some works made direct reference to the seminary. Others were more autonomous, exploring the language of meaning or individual and collective mythologies. This labyrinth of experiments included works that mixed styles and techniques, while attempting to create a thought-provoking effect on visitors.

The exhibition was a success with the public and attracted between 6000 and 7000 people. Numerous events were held in the deconsecrated chapel: shows, video, performance, dance, experimental theatre, punk concerts. In all, 31 events took place, bringing an entire generation together that would put down markers for the blooming of an alternative culture in Fribourg in the 1980s: the Belluard Festival, Fri-Son and La Spirale were all born from the exhibition events. Friart took on a federating mantle for a Swiss contemporary art that was at once provocative and demanding.

Text written in collaboration with Eleonora Mariotta, presented as part of the exhibition Friart est né du vide. L’esprit d’une Kunsthalle, MAHF Museoscope, 27.08 – 17.10.2021.

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