A continuing and recurring theme prevalent among NSK groups Laibach Kunst and IRWIN is that of
the RED DISTRICTS (Rdeči revirji).
Red Districts:
Size: 350 cm X 420 cm X 40 cm.
Technique / materials: blood, coal, wood, aluminium, gold, iron, glass, marble.
Year: 1987
Collaborators: Janez Knez, Tugo Sušnik
The Laibach site cryptically describes the motiv:
"Upon its founding in 1980 Laibach prepared in Trbovlje its first multimedia project "Red Districts (Rdeči revirji)", designed to challenge the striking contradictions of the political structure of the town at that time. The project was banned before it opened, which prevented the first public appearance of the group, though not the angry media response which followed. "
"The so-called Red District is an industrial area in Laibach’s hometown of Trbovlje and the surroundings. The motifs represent the factories and important architectural and cultural sites of the area. Laibach exhibited these series at their very early Laibach Kunst exhibitions in the 1980s. Reprints were made in 2010.'
Those reprints are available for purchase HERE
An initiative of the NSK Citizenry of the New York / New England is to create an aesthetic
that furthers the NSK visual culture beyond the canon of motifs prevalent in Laibach Kunst.
In the weeks leading up to the NSK Passport Office New York event held at
the MoMA, NSK Volkskunstler dAVID K. began a series of works that both reflect the
standard of Retrogarde emblematic of NSK/LAIBACH/IRWIN works, but also studied the history
of the built environment in America and its industrial roots which, like in Trbovlje, has deep roots
in mining labor. The resulting geo-social organization lends itself directly to the mapping and 'districting'
of people contingent on race, religion, economic status and political beliefs for political ends, often
resulting in Gerrymandering, or 're-districting' of areas for electoral advantage.
FROM RED DISTRICTS to REDISTRICTS
Prospectus: Redistricts (after Rdeči revirji)
dAVID K.
Silkscreen and Xerox on heavy white paper
17 x 11 inches
2012
The prospectus of this new line of work features preeminent works from early American
artists, distilled for their socio-political content, and read through the filter of Retrogardism.