Office-ONE-impression-Pilsen

OFFICEO.N.E.

Office for New Europeanism

OFFICE O.N.E.

A TEMPORARY EU-OFFICE TO

EXPLORE YOUR IDENTITY

Office for New Europeanism visited Pilsen, to explore the Czech perspective

on European identity.

7 July - 19 September 2014

Pilsen’s new symbol for Europe

Winning proposal ‘ Pilsen’s new symbol for Europe’. By Martin Pelikan, 11 years old.

During the summer, Office O.N.E. launched a competition to invite people in Pilsen to create new symbols for Europe, that reflects the Czech perspective on European identity. The winning proposal is chosen out of 46 entrees. The jury was surprised by the multi layered identity in the design. A European citizen has a regional, national and European identity, all at the same time.

A.i.R. — 7 July - 19 SeptemberOFFICE O.N.E.

ON | office O.N.E. |

CHANGE YOUR

IDENTITY HERE

OFFICE O.N.E.

ON | office O.N.E. |

CHANGE YOUR

IDENTITY HERE

‘My dreams are like excel sheets.’

IntroductionOFFICE O.N.E.

Office for New Europeanism is a mobile EU office that travels throughout Europe to research European identity. Office O.N.E. explores together with people what Europe means to them and if an European identity e xists in their hearts.

During the summer of 2014, Office O.N.E. transformed gallery Vestředu into a temporary EU office in the centre of Pilsen.During seven open Wednesdays, people could explore their European identity by entering the gallery on a blue carpet, that connected public space with the office through the window. Office O.N.E.’s research method exists of a questionnaire consisting seven questions to open the dialogue on topics that are related to the management of EU symbolism in the local community. Besides, a competition was launched to invite people in Pilsen to create their new symbol for Europe.

On the 17th of September, the winner of the competition was announced, winning a cash prize and the cover page of this publication. The artist is Martin Pelikan, 11 years old.

Four residents were invited for an interview, to tell about their perspective on 10 years of Czech EU membership. These interviews have resulted in the documentary ‘Grand Hotel Evropa’.

For a copy, please send an email to [email protected]

Founder of Office O.N.E.OFFICE O.N.E.

Office O.N.E. - Office for New Europeanism is founded by Jonmar van Vlijmen in 2010 as a result of his artistic research project on European identity, during his post-graduate program ‘Multiplicity & Visual identity’ in Zürich (Switzerland). The research explores te development of European identity and questions the existence of one single European identity from an EU perspective. Office O.N.E. had its debut at Liteside Festival in the Westerpark, Amsterdam.

European election market at the OBA library. (Amsterdam)

Presentation about democratic innovation in the European Parliament. (Brussels)Rosen Dimov, testing his European identity at cultural center Tolhuistuin. (Amsterdam)

Erik van der Langkruis in Community center ‘de Meevaart’, with Lauren Dyer (Amsterdam).

Constance De Vereaux (Canada) holds the highest score in the European test. (Cluj Napoca). Office O.N.E.’s founder Jonmar van Vlijmen at the polling station on 22 May 2014.

During Transeuropa Festival 2011, Office O.N.E traveled to Cluj Napoca to join the social market at the Museum square in the center of Cluj Napoca. Transeuropa Festival is a cultural and political festival that took place in 12 cities, spread around Europe simultaneously. On this picture, OFFICE O.N.E. is interviewing a German professor, who visited Cluj Napoca with her students.

Europe in PilsenOFFICE O.N.E.

On 6 August, Office for New Europeanism opened its doors (or window to be more precise) for the people in Pilsen. A blue carpet was rolled out to connect the public space with the exhibition space of Gallery Vestředu and provides the residents of Pilsen a space to share their opinion on European topics. The first Open Office day was a big success because we had lovely Italian food made by Valeria Pupilli!

The second open Office day has been a very productive one. After starting the day with an interview for a newspaper, soon people were coming in to talk about Europe. This time the visitors in the Office were more international. Two young people from Malaysia came in, a few young Roma children were very sure they recognised the man on the picture... And a student from the university from Prague explained how she felt European when she visited Russia last year. ‘Being part of the European Union makes me feel safe’, she said.

During the third open day at the office, the façade of the office was showing more images. It resulted in more reactions from passers-by. A school teacher told me that he wanted to be honest with and he said that if he were me, he would only show positive images about European identity... ‘I will think about how you can change the façade and I’ll come back next Wednesday to show a proposal’, he said.

During this third opening the gallery has transformed into a timeline, starting in 1918 until 2014. Visitors of Office O.N.E. can add their own personal European memories and historical facts to the timeline.

On the fourth open day, we ran the regular program. Which means; talking to passers-by and offering them the possibility to test their Europenism with a quiz, consisting of 7 questions. Another part of the program is making new symbols for Europe — this part was very popular amongst the children, that could easily spend a couple of hours on producing new flags for Europe.

At the end of the fifth open day, Office O.N.E. gave a presentation with the preliminary results of 5 open office days. The event was announced widely with the title ‘Why Europe doesn’t make you dream’, hoping to provoke some response.

On 17 september, a final presentation about the Czech perspec- tive on European identity took place, presenting all the results and announcing the winner of the competition, whose brilliant work is on the cover page of this publication.

OFFICE O.N.E.

OFFICE O.N.E.

OFFICE O.N.E. OPEN ON WEDNESDAY

EXPLORE YOUR IDENTITYGallery Vestředu — Martinska 3, Pilsen

Opening: 6 August 2014

These children were sure they recognised the man on the picture.

The blue carpet connects public space with the galleryAdding a new layer to the gallery.

Czech grandmother with her granddaughter, living in Germany.

Impression of a ‘regular’ Office day.Proud kids, showing their ‘European nail-art’.

Are you European? / Jste Evropan?

Yes IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIII 45 74%No IIIII IIIII I 11 18%I am not sure IIIII 5 8%

-------------------------------------------------

total 61 100%

OFFICE O.N.E.

Results Number %Main answers

Question 1

‘...the Czechs were always

dominated by a foreign power.’

Tomas is proud of his credit card. Photo taken in O

ffice O.N

.E. Pilsen, 2014

Question 1bOFFICE O.N.E.

Do you feel European? / Cítíte se jako Evropan?

Yes IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIII II 32 52%I am not sure IIIII IIIII IIII 14 23%No IIIII IIIII 10 17%Central European IIIII 5 8%

-------------------------------------------------

total 61 100%

Results Number %Main answers

* Eur

opea

n C

ounc

il* E

urop

ean

Parli

amen

t* C

ounc

il of

the

EU* E

urop

ean

Com

mis

sion

* Cou

rt o

f Jus

tice

of th

e

Euro

pean

Com

mun

ities

* Eur

opea

n C

ourt

of A

udito

rs* E

urop

ean

Om

buds

man

* Eur

opea

n D

ata

Prot

ectio

n

Supe

rvis

or* E

urop

ean

Cen

tral

Ban

k * E

urop

ean

Inve

stm

ent B

ank

* Eur

opea

n In

vest

men

t Fun

d* E

urop

ean

Econ

omic

and

S

ocia

l Com

mitt

ee* C

omm

ittee

of t

he R

egio

ns* I

nter

inst

itutio

nal b

odie

s* P

ublic

atio

ns O

ffice

of t

he E

U* E

urop

ean

Adm

inis

trativ

e Sc

hool

* Com

mon

fore

ign

and

sec

urity

pol

icy

* Jud

icia

l coo

pera

tion

incr

imin

al m

atte

rs* E

xecu

tive

agen

cies

* EU

RAT

OM

age

ncie

s * O

ffice

for N

ew E

urop

eani

sm?

‘Being part of the European Union,

makes me feel safe.’

Question 2OFFICE O.N.E.

Do you know who the man on the picture is?

/ Víte, kdo je muž na obrázku?

No IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIII III 33 56% Herman van Rompuy IIIII IIIII 10 16%President EU IIIII II 7 12%Yes IIII 4 7%An EU official ? III 3 5%

Gerd van Rompuy II 2 4%

-------------------------------------------------

total 59 100%

Results Number %Main answers

OFFICE O.N.E.

In November 2009, the first president of Europe was elected. Office O.N.E. decided to write Herman van Rompuy a letter, as the elections were not including the European citizens very well. Only the leaders of the EU member states are able to vote. In the letter Office O.N.E. congratulated the new President with his new job and asked him what he thinks about the fact that I’m not asked to vote for him. Until today the letter has not been answered. Office O.N.E. decided to open a website, dedicated to improve the communication between Herman and the citizens.

OFFICE O.N.E.

WOULD YOU FEEL THE SAME

IN MY POSITION?

Question 3OFFICE O.N.E.

What is the first word that you think about

when you think of Europe? / Jaké slovo Vás napadne jako první, když se řekne Evropa?

Continent IIIII IIIII IIIII IEuro IIIIHome IIIBrussels IITravelling IIIMap IUnited IGreen IPolitical integration IEurope IHumanity I

Pilsen IVictory INewspapers IEducation IGermany IAmazing “WOW!!!” IFreedom IMature economy ISchengen I High Living standard IEuropean flag I

‘Europe is a symbol of good quality and

welvare.’Pilsen IVictory INewspapers IEducation IGermany IAmazing “WOW!!!” IFreedom IMature economy ISchengen I High Living standard IEuropean flag I

OFFICE O.N.E.

Do you know the difference between the stars on the EU

flag and the flag of America? / Víte, jaký je rozdíl mezi hvězdami na americké vlajce a vlajce EU?

Good III 3 5% Wrong IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIII IIII 44 74%No idea IIIII IIIII II 12 21%

-------------------------------------------------

total 59 100%

Results Number %Main answers

Question 4

Deconstruction of the EU flag

Based on the fact that not many people in Europe know what the meaning is of the current EU flag and what the meaning is of the 12 stars on the flag. Office O.N.E. created ‘Deconstruction of the EU flag’ as a poetic counter proposal that invites people to use their imagination. The flag is winner of an EU wide competition and was exhibited in the EU Parliament in March 2014. Materials: fabric and ink coated paper. Technique: heat press. (i.c.w. Aliki van der Kruis)

OFFICE O.N.E.

‘This is the place we have been living for hundreds of years, everything going on around

us has influence on our lifes.’

Utery, 2014

Question 5OFFICE O.N.E.

Every country has it’s own symbols to express their own identity. The European Union uses 5 official symbols, do you know which 5? / Každá země používá určité symboly

k vyjádření vlastní identity. Evropská Unie jich používá 5. Víte, které to jsou?

Flag IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIII I 41/57 72% Anthem IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIII IIIII I 36/57 63%Euro IIIII IIIII I 11/57 19%United in diversity III 3/57 5% 9 May - day of Europe I 1/57 2%

No idea IIIII IIIII IIIII I 16/57 28%

Results Number %Main answers

European R

egional Developm

ent Fund Investing in your future.’ Pilsen, 2014.

‘It is not so clear for me anymore, what is a Czech product and what is a European

product.’

Euronics entered the C

zech market in 1998, tw

o years after Czech E

U application. Pilsen, 2014

Chinese restaurant. Pilsen, 2014

Question 6OFFICE O.N.E.

The Czech republic joined the EU exactly ten years ago, have you experienced many changes being part of the

European Union? / Česká Republika je součástí Evropské Unie již 10 let. Pocítil/a jste

od té doby nějaké změny?

Yes, I have felt some changes and I have to say that all of them wered always the good ones! But we shouldn´t forget on rum and fresh cream butter! ☺

Yes – rum is not rum anymore ☺. And other Czech names of products are replaced by European ones. Almost no support of Czech agri-culture. On the other hand I can see kind of a huge progress in development of rural areas and education.

Yes, the change is mainly shown in seeing how important it seems that the quality of democratical processes in the Czech Republic are improving, in the eyes of EU

More paperworks, more wasteful hypocrisy, better chance to get a job in EU countries.

Yes, but I cannot mention one concrete (fundings, restrictions etc.)

Unfortunately no. We do not have suitable news in Czech media channels about what is going on „in the EU level“ and in EU countries. Money from EU are used unefficiently or they steal them directly.

It is going slowly… I mean integration.

Not yet.

Main answers

‘I wouldn’t be surprised if the castle is renovated with money from the

European Union, saving it like a prince on a white horse —

it’s like a modern fairy tale.’

Eurovia is responsible for the renovation of the infrastructure in Pilsen. Pilsen, 2014

‘I wouldn’t be surprised if the castle is renovated with money from the

European Union, saving it like a prince on a white horse —

it’s like a modern fairy tale.’

‘Investments of EU in our infra-structure produces sympathy

towards EU. But EU regulations concerning our rum, cheese and

butter produces criticism.’

Question 7OFFICE O.N.E.

Not many people have voted in the EU elections this

year, what do you think is the reason for the low turnout? / Tento rok se do Evropských voleb zapojil extrémně nízký počet lidí. Z jakého důvodu se tak dle Vašeho

názoru stalo?

People don´t trust European politicians… I do not know, maybe it is also because of they do not see what exactly EU does and in what exactly can EU influence.

Because of lack of information about the importance of Czech Republic being part of EU...total desillusion of Czech inhabitants, many elections which took place in the last months gave almost no clue about how EU works

No information, no interest about politics in general. Small influence of Czech deputies in EUparliament (nihilism of the Czechs).

Politicans of our country make a disgrace. The first European Jiří z Poděbrad would be ashamed for them!

In my opinion it is a matter of distrust.

Mainly because of a lack of information and interest of people about EU. They often do not get the whole concept and idea, but they only know the negative aspects from the media.

Czech politicians are just interested in money.

I do not know.

Main answers

Pilsen, 2014

‘On state level, there is resistance, because it

brings ‘work’ and responsibilities.’

Euroalarm. Pilsen, 2014

QUIZ - THE RESULTSOFFICE O.N.E.

Congratulations,Pilsen is doing

well !

The resultOFFICE O.N.E.

7,0

‘But...as a summary... it is pretty good that we are part

of the European Union. Without any doubt.’

CreditsOFFICE O.N.E.

Office O.N.E. was invited by OPEN A.i.R. - Artist in Residence,in the framework of Pilsen2015 - European Capital of Culture.The Office was accomodated in gallery Vestředu. The Artist in Residency is part of an exchange program with the Arnhem based residency program Motel Spatie. Office O.N.E. is funded by Amsterdam Fund for the Arts for its activities in Amsterdam.

Thank you for your great support:Adéla FoldynováTereza SváškováClaudia SchoutenFrançoise BeaussantAnna HoužvičkováLaurene LavalValeria PupilliCarlos CarmonamedinaRonald BoerHonza & Klara SalzmannOndra RuckýJan OstroluckyTomas HambergerJana TrávníčkováSilvie Haslova & Walter Olbrichand all other people that played a role in the project!

DocumentaryPetra Vaněčková Štěpán Soutner & neighboursRichard SalzmannJosef Machalíček & Viktor Machalíček

MusicMusician in the streets of Prague, earning money to see his family in Berlin.

Photo creditsLuboš Soutner (documentary)Jonmar van Vlijmen

A copy of (parts of) this publication can not be made without permission of Office O.N.E. (copyright 2014)

Supported byOFFICE O.N.E.

OFFICE O.N.E . OFFICE O.N.E . OFFICE O.N.E . OFFICE O.N.E .

OFFICE O.N.E.

Letter from Walter OlbrichOFFICE O.N.E.

Hello Jonmar!

I´m very sorry not to answer your above e-mail. The reason was, because it was part of spammail, I never check carefully. Thank you for your mail and the interesting enclosed fotos. You are working on a very interesting, challenging project to find out what the Czech perspective on European identity is. I´m very glad to hear that you are also interested in the history of “Sudetenland”. As you maybe have heard from Silvie Haslova I was born in that part of the Czech Republic, former Czecho-slovakia. Because my parents and relatives were Germans and the Germans were not willing to intermingle with the majority of the native population, we had to leave the country, most of them in 1946. Of course at that time it was agreed by the Allies too, to sent my fellow countrymen back to Germany. So almost 3.3 million Germans had to leave the country to Germany, where they came from up to 800 - 900 years ago. This compulsary jour-ney they had to make was in a uncertain future. There were no friends, no relatives just the common connexion was language und maybe religion. For my grandparents and my mother (father died during world war II) it was a disaster. So, I was grown up nearby Munich and made my way in Germany, as my generation did during the German economic miracle.

So most of us are deeply rooted in Germany and of course the European Union and not stick in the muds. Even though there were monthly magazines published of the people of Sudetenland I never ordered any to read. There is even a building in Munich, the so-called house of the people of Sudetenland and displaced persons “Haus der Sudetendeutschen und Vertriebenen” I have never visited either, because I deeply believe this time is finished and it was a big mistake of my people lived in Czechoslovakia not to integrate with the Czech population, instead of that, they have followed the regime of Hitler. Also my children, grown up both in Germany and Austria have no interest so far to visit this historic places anymore, where we came from. But I have good Czech friends in Odry, a small town nearby Olomouc, where I was born. Every year I´m visiting them and we admire the worth seeing places together and are happy to be together in one Europe, which hopefully will finally become the United States of Europe. Jonmar, this is the way it goes. We are all Europeans and the future will be more bright for all of us and the new generations, if we will live peaceful together without war and take our chances on a global scale. I´m not sure if I can help you on your project, if you think I can, just contact me.

Best regards Walter Olbrich