“The Harn is honored to be among a select group of highly respected organizations selected for funding from the Warhol Foundation,” said Rebecca Nagy, director of the Harn Museum of Art. “Other recipients include the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the UCLA Hammer Museum, the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Walker Art Center.”

Project Europa considers the relationship of art to democracy in Europe. In 1989, the unification of Europe was conceived as a vital and urgent social project to promote democracy and sustain cultural difference. Now, 20 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, artists question the promise and potential of Europe’s democratic dream.

The work featured in the exhibition explores the complex and subtle relationship between art and politics, employing different voices and modes of representation. In addition, the reflection on Europe provides an avenue to re-examine and reinvigorate our understanding of democracy in the United States.

“The grant provides an exciting and unique opportunity to work with some of the most innovative artists in Europe,” said Kerry Oliver-Smith, curator of contemporary art and organizer of the exhibition. “With the support of the Warhol Foundation, the museum has the chance to feature work we would not see in Gainesville otherwise.”

The exhibition features more than 50 works by 20 international artists working in photography, video, painting and drawing. The museum has commissioned two artists to create site-specific work. The artists will be at the Harn in January 2010 for their installations.

Project Europa is accompanied by an illustrated catalogue with essays by Oliver-Smith and other scholars. In addition, the museum is hosting a film series, a symposium, lectures and other educational programs related to the exhibition.

For more information call 352-392-9826 or visit www.harn.ufl.edu.

Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art
The Harn Museum of Art at SW 34th St. and Hull Rd. is one of the largest university art museums in the country with nearly 7,000 works in its collection focusing on African, Asian, modern and contemporary art and photography. The museum enhances the activities of the University of Florida and serves a culturally diverse audience through educational programming. Admission is free. Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Parking is free on weekends. The Camellia Court Café is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information call 352-392-9826 or visit www.harn.ufl.edu.

Media contact:
Tami Wroath, Director of Marketing and Public Relations
Harn Museum of Art
352.392.9826 x116
twroath@harn.ufl.edu