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Subversion, within the context of counterfactual art, refers to the deliberate critique and challenge of established ideologies and the prevailing societal status quo. This function is often manifested through the creation of a fictive or alternative myth-history. Its primary objective is to uncover underlying hypocrisies, address societal fears, and provide a platform for rigorous critique, thereby encouraging a reevaluation of individuals' beliefs and perceptions regarding the intricacies of our world.
The solo project titled “…and Europe will be stunned” by Israeli Dutch artist Yael Bartana premiered at the Van Abbemuseum in Eindhoven on March 24, 2012. This exhibition features a video trilogy centering on the Jewish Renaissance Movement in Poland learn more
The solo project titled “…and Europe will be stunned” by Israeli Dutch artist Yael Bartana premiered at the Van Abbemuseum in Eindhoven on March 24, 2012. This exhibition features a video trilogy centering on the Jewish Renaissance Movement in Poland (JRMiP), advocating for the return of 3.3 million Jews to Poland. The trilogy, originally showcased learn more

…and Europe will be stunned, 2012

Yael Bartana
Intervention in Chernivtsi’s urban space involved radio advertisements at 14 public transport stops in Ukraine. The audio work cleverly disguises itself as a typical advertisement, offering non-existent services from imaginary design and architectural bureaus. Despite the unconventional approach, no calls learn more
Intervention in Chernivtsi’s urban space involved radio advertisements at 14 public transport stops in Ukraine. The audio work cleverly disguises itself as a typical advertisement, offering non-existent services from imaginary design and architectural bureaus. Despite the unconventional approach, no calls were received during the three-week campaign. Presented by the German-Ukrainian company “BAUHATA LIMITED,” we specialize learn more

Bauhata Imited (WYSIWIG (What You See Is What You Get), 2017

Leo Trotsenko
Exodus 2048 Mixed-media installation – maze, 6 texts in lightboxes 40 x 40 cm (ground floor), refugee camp (clocktower) Produced by Van Abbemuseum for Be(com)ing Dutch, Eindhoven/NL, 2008  Recreated at the New Museum, New York, 2009 The project was presented learn more
Exodus 2048 Mixed-media installation – maze, 6 texts in lightboxes 40 x 40 cm (ground floor), refugee camp (clocktower) Produced by Van Abbemuseum for Be(com)ing Dutch, Eindhoven/NL, 2008  Recreated at the New Museum, New York, 2009 The project was presented at the Van Abbemuseum in Eindhoven as part of the “Be(com)ing Dutch” exhibition, Michael Blum’s learn more

Exodus 2048

Michael Blum
Apparently, gays were always a pain in the ass of a polish-ed catholical society. Even today, but especially in 2007, the Polish public space and mass media portrayed them as bearers of subversive ideas.  It made Karol Radziszewski thinking, “”What learn more
Apparently, gays were always a pain in the ass of a polish-ed catholical society. Even today, but especially in 2007, the Polish public space and mass media portrayed them as bearers of subversive ideas.  It made Karol Radziszewski thinking, “”What if we, as LGBTQ+ individuals, were a genuine threat to society?” “. As an openly learn more

Fag Fighters, 2007

Karol Radziszewski
“A Field Guide to Surreal Botany,” expertly edited by Jason Erik Lundberg and Janet Chui, is a charming exploration of fantastical flora through an extensive collaborative collage. This delightful tome, a compilation of imagined plant specimens with striking illustrations, serves learn more
“A Field Guide to Surreal Botany,” expertly edited by Jason Erik Lundberg and Janet Chui, is a charming exploration of fantastical flora through an extensive collaborative collage. This delightful tome, a compilation of imagined plant specimens with striking illustrations, serves as a contemplative counterpart to strict surrealism, embracing the unreal within literature. Applying surrealism’s tenets learn more

Field Guide to Surreal Botany

The “Flower Power. Archive” project continues the series of projects by the Agency. In 2017, the group discovered an archive of a museum belonging to a secret society that existed during the late Soviet era and focused on pacifist and learn more
The “Flower Power. Archive” project continues the series of projects by the Agency. In 2017, the group discovered an archive of a museum belonging to a secret society that existed during the late Soviet era and focused on pacifist and dissident activities. According to the documents found, members of the Leningrad branch of “Flower Power” learn more

Flower Power. Archive, 2017

Agency of Singular Investigations
Agnieszka Polska’s video, in broad strokes, references Paweł Freisler, a Polish artist who primarily worked in the 1960s and 1970s. Freisler moved to Sweden in the late 1970s and seemingly abandoned his artistic practices in favor of tending to his learn more
Agnieszka Polska’s video, in broad strokes, references Paweł Freisler, a Polish artist who primarily worked in the 1960s and 1970s. Freisler moved to Sweden in the late 1970s and seemingly abandoned his artistic practices in favor of tending to his garden. Freisler is mainly known for his storytelling art – an ephemeral practice that involved learn more

Garden

Agnieszka Polska
“The Gay, Innocent and Heartless” revisits numerous recurring themes that have characterized the artist’s work since his debut in the 1980s, delving into topics like the impact of mass media on human identity. This makes the exhibition, to a certain learn more
“The Gay, Innocent and Heartless” revisits numerous recurring themes that have characterized the artist’s work since his debut in the 1980s, delving into topics like the impact of mass media on human identity. This makes the exhibition, to a certain extent, a vibrant retrospective of his oeuvre. Despite its controversial exploration of masculinity and the learn more

Gay, Innocent and Heartless. 2008

Zbigniew Libera
One of Jacek Malinowski’s most renowned works, in which he first employed the “theory and practice of the fake documentary film.” The HalfAWoman triptych was created between 2000 and 2008. The film portrays the everyday life of Joan, a woman learn more
One of Jacek Malinowski’s most renowned works, in which he first employed the “theory and practice of the fake documentary film.” The HalfAWoman triptych was created between 2000 and 2008. The film portrays the everyday life of Joan, a woman afflicted with a rare condition known as Pelvic Degeneration Syndrome (PDS), which causes half of learn more

HalfAWoman

Jacek Malinowski
In the wistful tapestry of time, there emerged a project known as “Happy Victory Day, Mr. Müller!” In the year 1995, on a day bathed in the memory of the Eastern Front’s World War II finale, Berlin saw a remarkable learn more
In the wistful tapestry of time, there emerged a project known as “Happy Victory Day, Mr. Müller!” In the year 1995, on a day bathed in the memory of the Eastern Front’s World War II finale, Berlin saw a remarkable spectacle unfold. A total of 5500 Müllers, bearers of that quintessentially German surname, received a learn more

Happy Victory Day, Mr. Muller, 1995

Masoch Fund
In May 1993, Kiev artists O. Hnylytskyi, M. Mamsikov, I. Oksametnyi, V. Raievskyi, O. Sidor-Hibelynda, I. Chichkan, and N. Filonenko organized and carried out a “criminal performance” in the center of Kiev. The idea was proposed by artist V. Tsagolov. learn more
In May 1993, Kiev artists O. Hnylytskyi, M. Mamsikov, I. Oksametnyi, V. Raievskyi, O. Sidor-Hibelynda, I. Chichkan, and N. Filonenko organized and carried out a “criminal performance” in the center of Kiev. The idea was proposed by artist V. Tsagolov. The group was part of the unofficial artistic community “Parkomuna,” which was located in the learn more

Karl Marx – Père Lachaise

Due to the fact that the gallery owner Marat Gelman postponed the event “The Last Jewish Pogrom,” an action by FM titled “The Last Jewish Pogrom is being postponed…” preceded the actual “Pogrom.” The central part of Moscow was covered learn more
Due to the fact that the gallery owner Marat Gelman postponed the event “The Last Jewish Pogrom,” an action by FM titled “The Last Jewish Pogrom is being postponed…” preceded the actual “Pogrom.” The central part of Moscow was covered with posters announcing the postponement of the “Pogrom,” which caused significant reactions from the public, learn more

Last Jewish Pogrom

Masoch Fund
Mixed-media installation, De Appel, Amsterdam, 2006. A Jewish bank by the name of Lippmann, Rosenthal & Co. had been trading at 6-8 Nieuwe Spiegelstraat, in Amsterdam, since 1859 – a building today occupied by the De Appel center for contemporary learn more
Mixed-media installation, De Appel, Amsterdam, 2006. A Jewish bank by the name of Lippmann, Rosenthal & Co. had been trading at 6-8 Nieuwe Spiegelstraat, in Amsterdam, since 1859 – a building today occupied by the De Appel center for contemporary art. During WWII and the German occupation of the Netherlands, the Nazis deliberately used the learn more

Lippmann, Rosenthal & Co

Michael Blum
“Metalosis Maligna” is a short film by Belgian artist and filmmaker Floris Kaayk. The film is a speculative fiction that explores the potential consequences of technological advancements in the field of medical prosthetics. The film depicts a fictional disease called learn more
“Metalosis Maligna” is a short film by Belgian artist and filmmaker Floris Kaayk. The film is a speculative fiction that explores the potential consequences of technological advancements in the field of medical prosthetics. The film depicts a fictional disease called “Metalosis Maligna,” which is caused by a malfunctioning medical implant. The video opens with a learn more

Metalosis Maligna

Floris Kaayk
15 fotografii (jedenaście o wym. 70 × 100; dwie o wym. 70 × 90; dwie o wym. 70 × 50 cm)Praca w depozycie Galerii ArsenałThe “Masters” series (2004) emerged as a protest by the artist against the refusal to display learn more
15 fotografii (jedenaście o wym. 70 × 100; dwie o wym. 70 × 90; dwie o wym. 70 × 50 cm)Praca w depozycie Galerii ArsenałThe “Masters” series (2004) emerged as a protest by the artist against the refusal to display one of his works (“Lego. Concentration Camp”) at the Venice Biennale in 1997. The curator learn more

Mistrzowie / Masters

Zbigniew Libera
In October 2003, an unassuming red-and-white information booth appeared overnight in Vienna’s Karlsplatz, emblazoned with the Nike Swoosh, a website address, and the phrase: “Nikeplatz (formerly Karlsplatz).” The installation, seemingly backed by the global sportswear brand Nike, claimed that the learn more
In October 2003, an unassuming red-and-white information booth appeared overnight in Vienna’s Karlsplatz, emblazoned with the Nike Swoosh, a website address, and the phrase: “Nikeplatz (formerly Karlsplatz).” The installation, seemingly backed by the global sportswear brand Nike, claimed that the historic square had been renamed Nikeplatz, mimicking the corporate naming practices commonly seen in sports learn more

Nike Ground (2003)

Eva & Franco Mattes
No Fun is a 15-minute video in which a simulated suicide was staged and the reactions of unsuspecting viewers were recorded. The performance took place on a popular website that connects random people worldwide for webcam-based conversations. In the video, learn more
No Fun is a 15-minute video in which a simulated suicide was staged and the reactions of unsuspecting viewers were recorded. The performance took place on a popular website that connects random people worldwide for webcam-based conversations. In the video, Franco appears hanging from a noose, swinging slowly in the artists’ New York studio. Thousands learn more

No Fun (2010)

Eva & Franco Mattes
A fictional company and online store that offered people the opportunity to “grow” their own personalized sneakers using genetically modified stingray leather. A carefully crafted story was spread across various media platforms, where it proved convincing enough to a loyal learn more
A fictional company and online store that offered people the opportunity to “grow” their own personalized sneakers using genetically modified stingray leather. A carefully crafted story was spread across various media platforms, where it proved convincing enough to a loyal group of followers who were ultimately disappointed when the truth was revealed..

Rayfish Footwear

Floris Kaayk
In 1985, approximately 320 km from Mexico City, a tectonic rupture occurred in the Cocos Plate. The Mexico City earthquake (Terremoto de México) was one of the most destructive earthquakes in the history of the Americas, with a magnitude of learn more
In 1985, approximately 320 km from Mexico City, a tectonic rupture occurred in the Cocos Plate. The Mexico City earthquake (Terremoto de México) was one of the most destructive earthquakes in the history of the Americas, with a magnitude of 8.1. The main impact was felt in the central and northern areas of Mexico City, learn more

Rumors

Francis Alÿs
* Dream – is literary translation of Mriya — Ukrainian aircraft, the biggest in the world Pavilion of Ukraine at the 58th International art exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, 2019. Participants: All Ukrainian artists* (*i.e. all artists who have learn more
* Dream – is literary translation of Mriya — Ukrainian aircraft, the biggest in the world Pavilion of Ukraine at the 58th International art exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, 2019. Participants: All Ukrainian artists* (*i.e. all artists who have agreed to participate, 1143 artists) Curator: Open Group (Yuriy Biley, Pavlo Kovach, Stanislav Turina and learn more

Shadow of Dream cast upon Giardini della Biennale, 2019

Open group
When the Korea Web Art Festival commissioned a new online work, the artists executed a subtle hack without informing anyone, including the curator. On the opening night, they logged into the exhibition website and exploited a minor security flaw to learn more
When the Korea Web Art Festival commissioned a new online work, the artists executed a subtle hack without informing anyone, including the curator. On the opening night, they logged into the exhibition website and exploited a minor security flaw to swap the names of the artworks. The artworks themselves were not altered, but visitors to learn more

The K Thing (2001)

Eva & Franco Mattes
“Triple-Chaser” was created in response to the 2019 Whitney Biennial invitation, independent of the Whitney Museum, in protest of Warren B. Kanders’ involvement with the institution. Kanders, owner of the Safariland Group, whose tear gas grenades were used against civilians learn more
“Triple-Chaser” was created in response to the 2019 Whitney Biennial invitation, independent of the Whitney Museum, in protest of Warren B. Kanders’ involvement with the institution. Kanders, owner of the Safariland Group, whose tear gas grenades were used against civilians in the 2018 US border crisis, was also a vice chair at the Whitney. The learn more

Triple-Chaser (2019)

Forensic architecture
The United We Stand project imagines a non-existent Hollywood-style European blockbuster film, marketed as “a brilliant mix of espionage and sci-fi political stereotypes in which Europe, not the USA, saves the world from impending doom.” Through posters, a fabricated website, learn more
The United We Stand project imagines a non-existent Hollywood-style European blockbuster film, marketed as “a brilliant mix of espionage and sci-fi political stereotypes in which Europe, not the USA, saves the world from impending doom.” Through posters, a fabricated website, and a fictional backstory, the project presented a fictional movie to audiences worldwide. The promotional learn more

United We Stand (2005)

Eva & Franco Mattes
In 1998, artists acquired the domain name Vaticano.org and launched a website that closely mirrored the official Holy See site. While visually identical, their version contained subtle yet significant alterations hidden within sacred texts. These changes allowed them to satirize learn more
In 1998, artists acquired the domain name Vaticano.org and launched a website that closely mirrored the official Holy See site. While visually identical, their version contained subtle yet significant alterations hidden within sacred texts. These changes allowed them to satirize and critique the identity of the Holy See by promoting ideals such as free love, learn more

Vaticano.org (1998)

Eva & Franco Mattes
In 2001, the Gdańsk-based artist collective CUKT (Centralny Urząd Kultury Technicznej, or Central Bureau of Technical Culture) – including Rafał Ewertowski, Robert Michał Jurkowski, Jacek Niegoda, Maciej Sienkiewicz, and Piotr Wyrzykowski – launched an unconventional campaign for a fictional presidential learn more
In 2001, the Gdańsk-based artist collective CUKT (Centralny Urząd Kultury Technicznej, or Central Bureau of Technical Culture) – including Rafał Ewertowski, Robert Michał Jurkowski, Jacek Niegoda, Maciej Sienkiewicz, and Piotr Wyrzykowski – launched an unconventional campaign for a fictional presidential candidate, Wiktoria Cukt. Operating as a “virtual personality,” Wiktoria had no intrinsic views and was learn more

Wiktoria Cukt: A Virtual Presidential Candidate (2001)

C.U.K.T.