Richard Wiesner: Twenty-Eight (CZ)

IN SITU Pilot Project 

Twenty-Eight is a site-specific installation representing the EU group of twenty-eight member states. Individual states are represented by translations of their national anthems, which are a central theme of the entire installation. 

The Motto of the EU “Unity in Diversity” highlights the need of individual states to define and build their own identity. A nation is represented to a significant extent by its symbols and national myths. The act of election and the process of developing national anthems often uniquely correlate with the creation of nations’ own images. The content of national anthems often conflict with the EU’s efforts to unify, and highlight the need of states to fight and protect themselves as unique and undisrupted space.

A way of questioning the concept of identity against the current backdrop of rising nationalism across Europe.

In 2018, Twenty-Eight was presented in Budapest at PLACCC festival (Hungary) and in Marseille at Travellings Festival (France).

Twenty-Eight is an IN SITU Pilot Project. We're extremely proud to be one of only three UK partners of the Europe-wide IN SITU Network.

In May 2018, IN SITU members selected six pilot projects to collectively support from inception to touring. Six projects with a social consciousness, that address contemporary issues and are relevant in an international contest.  Each project reflects the artistic vision of IN SITU including, scale adaptability, accessibility to large audiences, involvement of local artistic collaborators, leaving a real visual or physical trace. 

Twenty-Eight, an IN SITU Pilot project, has received a creation aid by the ACT project, co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union. The co-producers are Atelier 231 (FR), Festival di Terni (IT), Freedom Festival (UK), La Strada Graz (AT), Lieux publics (FR), Norfolk & Norwich Festival (UK), Østfold kulturutvikling (NO), Oerol Festival (NL), Theater op de Markt (BE), UZ Arts (UK).