to: raqs [at] sarai dot net
from: s23x [at] internets

Subject: s23x is rollin! Wohoo!

Dear RAQS,

First of all we would like to thank you for giving us opportunities for our wonderful trip/performance/visit. With this mail we want to inform you on our soon coming exodus to Belgrade and of course ask for your support as we assume you share our concerns on what is happening in Italy. s23x is a project focused very much on nomadism, temporary communities, linking online and offline worlds, inclusion and exclusion etc. In light of this we feel very sad to observe the developments in Italy during this year where the Roma and immigrant population of Italy is being criminalized and targeted (Italy blocking the pirate bay is a minor offense in this situation) and the military is taking to the streets.

Thus, we feel that we can no longer keep up the s23m project in Italy and will to go into exile to a place where we can make the bus come alive again and re-establish “networks between nomadic entities in Beograd, Italy, Romania, irc and so forth” to quote ourselves.  This is not to say that the Roma population of Beograd is perfectly well off, rather that we feel Beograd is the perfect place to start further enquiries and interventions on this issue.

Another aspect that was present immediately upon arrival was the feeling of an end. When the bus stopped moving, when the art realm lid came upon us.

We are in negotiations with institutions in Belgrade to host an alternative exodus Manifesta. We will invite all artists of manifesta7 to join us in the bus to this exhibition. We are planning on leaving in October. We are as we speak contacting different bodies to finance us (EU, OSI, private rich people) but so far we are without financial means. Of course we are also contacting Roma organizations for conceptual and tactical guidance and cooperation as we are definitely not out to represent any people or group.

This raises a lot of questions on cooperation among other this one; are you in favor of what you are hearing? We would very much like to discuss this and all other topics with you mouths to ears, so to speak. I’d like to suggest that we call you at wednesday morning 7.30 (for us) which should be at 12(IST?) for you.

Please let us know soon if its possible to schedule this meeting and if so to what landline/skype/other we should call. Maybe we could even do a video conference on skype, that would be awesome.

“Being a Host or a guest is a very important factor in Manifesta, because Manifesta is by nature a nomadic event, itinierant in its moving from one city to another, mostly in periferic areas of Europe.”
Hedwig Fijen

Johan Allgoth & Magnus Eriksson
for s23x