t_k_red.gif (1154 bytes)

FROM ALTERNATIVE SCENE TO ART VIDEO

videospotting.jpg (560797 bytes)

Video Production in Slovenia 1992-1994

Texts:  Barbara Borčić 1
Barbara Borčić 2
Nancy Buchanan
Presentations  &  Screenings
Programs 1,2,3

ŠKUC-FORUM VIDEO PRODUCTION

The TV show made by Zemira Alajbegović on Kanal A, Ljubljana in 1992) consists of fragments of numerous videotapes (documentary videos, videos d'auteur, and video clips) made by the protagonists of the “Ljubljana alternative scene” in the ‘80s. They were all produced within the ŠKUC-Forum Video Production, the only independent production unit of the time, which acquired a specific position within the Slovene cultural context, and cut deeply into the social consciousness.

The programme is an overview of the “Ljubljana alternative scene" in the ‘80s, the activism and creativity of marginal social and cultural groups, including their main venues, Galerija Škuc and FV Disko: the club scene with punk concerts, the coming-out of gays & lesbians, multimedia projects, graffiti projects; the art scene, the peace movement, and more. One prominent characteristic of that scene was its strong connection with mass culture on the one hand and an elaborated and constructive theoretical background on the other. Although we could say that the protagonists of the scene were quite well aware of the Althusserian concept of state ideological apparatuses and of the functioning of power and mechanisms of control, they finally had to face a contradictory situation. Namely, their aim, defined by a strong feeling of belonging, was to remain outside of strict social constraints, but they nevertheless strove for an influence on general public opinion. We could even say that they shared both the feeling of a kind of freedom of expression – that “everything is possible” - and the hopes that they will make changes happen. Nevertheless, the “Ljubljana alternative scene" had been one of the driving forces of civil society and the so-called New Social Movements that actually triggered the socio-political changes in this country. A special feature of New Social Movements in Slovenia in the ‘80s was the fact that their initiatives belonged largely to the field of culture, and not to politics which had been the impenetrable domain of the ruling Communist Party.

Video production was an integral part of the “Ljubljana alternative scene"; it played an important role within the context of media culture, but it also had an impact on the wider social and political situation in Slovenia. Happenings and events had been regularly documented and low budget (VHS) video works produced ( e.g., FV, Meje kontrole št. 4, Marko Kovačič, Marjan Osole Max, Andrej Lupinc, Igor Virovac). Video played a role similar to Polaroid and Xerox: it was an "instant" medium which was cheap, accessible, and not subject to control and censorship. As it was not restrained by traditional codes, the video works explored social and cultural issues, disclosed the functioning of ideological mechanisms and aesthetic effects, and straightforwardly unveiled marginal and taboo themes. Besides, video also formed part of various multimedia projects and performances (by Borghesia, Marko Kovačič, Marjan Osole Max).

Barbara Borčić