Conflicts in art schools in Central and Eastern Europe arise, on the one hand, from inherited feudal and patriarchal structures, and on the other hand from the post-transformational onslaught of neoliberal practices. These problems are now further challenged by the attempts of increasingly authoritarian governments to limit the autonomy of universities and academies. And so we are increasingly confronted not only with the question of whether hierarchical structures are worth protecting from commercialization, but also, in the face of the authoritarian tendencies of those in power, are we doomed to fight for the status quo?

Are diverse institutions possible? And if not, what might alternative models of art education look like? In the preface to the Polish edition of Ivan Illich's book "The Society of Deschooling", Piotr Laskowski asks: "Is it possible to create a school that would not be an institution, but a community based on friendship? [...] A community free of grades, exams, compulsory programs; a non-institutionalized community, non-hierarchical, free from paternalism, self-governing, open and inclusive, but at the same time a community whose participants care about each other and push each other to read and act?"

The exhibition presents works of art and practices that confront institutional problems, academic revolts and initiatives aimed at combating their pathologies. Over the course of six weeks, the Deschool! project will also implement alternative educational projects of artists and their self-study groups, basic collective practices of knowledge exchange, as well as community-based learning and creativity.