Europe has changed and never ceases to astonish us. There was a time, not so long ago, when one traveled from Bratislava to Prague. Shortly after 1918, intellectuals, artists from Slovakia, researchers and academics traveled to gain recognition and consecration in the homeland and capital of both Kafka and Capek. And then afterwards came 1990 and the disappearance of this astonishing Czechoslovakian utopia. I was there, ready to spend 5 years of my life in Prague after the Velvet Revolution was launched.

Nadine Gandy arrived from France to establish her gallery, first at Roztoky, then behind Stepanska. She was very instrumental in introducing contemporary French artists to the Czech Republic, as well as bringing attention to creators from Bohemia and Moravia who showed their work both here and abroad. Thanks to her, the Czech scene opened itself a little more to the world. I often compare Nadine to a bird that flies over the sea, and provides mind-blowing and detailed information on which route to take. Migratory birds, signal birds, indicators of powerful and profound tendencies.

Leaving Prague to relocate in Bratislava, and reversing the route that used to be the obvious one, is a strong testimony to Nadine Gandy's rather radical change of attitude. It also pays tribute to the importance of the capital city of a nation that did not wait until the end of 2004 to declare itself resolutely European. It is from here that the center will articulate itself for all of those who are keen to accompany the wonderful endeavour of « Panenska 30 ».

Today, ideas of center or fringe are retrogade and meaningless. By opting to open a new center of creation that is open to shared initiatives, by developing a project that is so magnificently topical, Nadine Gandy's perspective locates itself at the heart of Europe. Clouding Europe invites the viewer to enunciate desire, even the most absurd or naive- of a Europe that failed in France on May 29 2005. My thanks extend to these fifteen artists, who are « representing » this continent with projects that are surprisingly diverse in their approach? And who express their sense of freedom by never saying « no » to the other who knocks at the door of the house that we all share.

Olivier Poivre d'Arvor, writer, director Association française d'action artistique

Clouding Europe - Publication of the exhibition