Boris Kostadinov on Curatorial Identity, Eastern Europe, and Digital Shifts in Contemporary Art

In a March 2022 interview, curator Boris Kostadinov discusses the evolving role of curators amid geopolitical crises like the war in Ukraine. He distinguishes between curating as a 'profession' focused on art objects and as a 'vocation' involving concept creation, referencing Roland Barthes. Kostadinov contrasts 'curators from Eastern Europe' working internationally with those based locally, noting institutional weaknesses in Eastern Europe. He reflects on landmark events shaping his generation, including the 2007 financial crisis and the pandemic, which prompted his online exhibition 'Between Beasts and Angels' exploring digital anthropocentrism. Kostadinov's projects include 'Mature and Angry' (2015) at the Center for Contemporary Art in Plovdiv and 'Migrations of Fear' (2017) across venues in Graz, Plovdiv, and Slovenj Gradec. He critiques the art market's $50 billion revenue in 2020 and questions art's political efficacy, citing Tania Bruguera's concept of 'Arte Útil'. Based in Berlin, he runs the Scope BLN residency and emphasizes digital art's impact, including NFTs and audience interaction. The conversation touches on his exhibitions like 'Errors of Beauty' (2016) at the National Gallery in Sofia and 'Mind the Gap' series in New York and Vienna, influenced by science and technology debates.