International, Interdisciplinary, Conference, Art, Contemporary Art

Pathfinder in Ostrava The political system in Czechoslovakia changed in 1989. The authoritarian regime modelled after Soviet Russia collapsed and the freedom of expression, both political and artistic, was introduced in Czechoslovakia. The citizen/artist suddenly had more leeway with many possibilities for self-realisation. Despite that, acknowledging the authentic artistic life in Ostrava region before 1989 was, and to some extent still is, an important part of Ostrava's artistic identity. Equally important was the distinctive social engagement typical of the Ostrava art scene of the 1990s. By now, this sentiment has somewhat weakened. The Ostrava art scene of the second decade of the new millennium is also clearly characterized by the fact that recent heroes of alternative professional careers emerge as a firm part of the artistic establishment. Their successful careers in both secondary and tertiary arts education are one of the formative elements of the current situation.