FRANKFURT.- For her presentation in the 10 Reasons to be a Member-space at the Frankfurt Kunstverein, Judith Raum reflects on how the Contemporary Arts Library first came into being, while the documentary material also shows the structure and central topics of recent projects that were realised within the framework of the Contemporary Arts Library Services.

The Contemporary Arts Library is a book collection relating to international contemporary art and theory, which is located in Pristina (Kosovo) and was initiated in 2005 by Shannon Bool and Adrian Williams. Today it functions as a library, consisting of an inventory of 10,000 books, magazines and films that provides urgently required resources concerning contemporary art.

Since 2006 onwards, Judith Raum has extended this facility by concentrating on establishing networks between artist initiatives and institutions in South Eastern Europe, and by collecting publications from the region. Through collaboration with invited artists, the library has since developed into an open structure for participatory projects and presentations in and beyond Kosovo with the aim of creating an exchange between artists from Kosovo and the international community.

The library will not be on show at the Frankfurter Kunstverein, rather it is anticipated that the varied material on display will allow for a critical reflection on the project. This presentation will include bookshelves that were part of the former library of the Frankfurter Kunstverein before they were donated to the project in Pristina in 2005.

The work of Judith Raum concerns a questioning process that relates to spiritual, political and financial dependence and independence, as well as the possibilities and limitations of cooperation and their feasibility.

Accompanying the presentation, Judith Raum has invited the following international guests who are also involved in the project: December 16, 2008: Judith Raum in conversation with Kerstin Meyer (development official, Frankfurt), January 13, 2009: Kittens Talk with Judith Raum, guest: Céline Condorelli (architect /artist, London), January 30, 2009: Artist Talk with Elke Marhöfer (artist, Berlin), February 18,2009: Lecture and film screening by Sezgin Boynik (sociologist, Pristina). The presentation, Contemporary Arts Library Services Pristina - Berlin by Judith Raum, takes place as part of the Königinnenwege IV series, which is organized by maecenia. It is shown in cooperation with the foundation.