DRESDEN.- From July 13th to September 16th the OSTRALE - International Exhibition of Contemporary Arts takes place in Dresden. Already for the sixth time the entire range of contemporary art is presented at the festival.

For two months the OSTRALE invites national and international artists to take part in a remarkable event at a historical site. The Hans-Erlwein-slaughterhouse offers 15,000 m² exhibition space and an outdoor area more than three times larger in a truly special atmosphere. This year the works of 245 artists from 33 different nations are exhibited. In cooperation with the association of artists Dresden 6 artists from Dresden are presented.

Already for the second time the OSTRALE presents the international art academy project "IAM international art moves“. The continuously increasing network is a chance for students and professors to be involved in an artistic and curatorial exchange. This adds a further quality to the OSTRALE as an international meeting point. Among others students from Hong Kong, Zagreb/Croatia, Beirut/Lebanon and Lima/Peru participate. In the future the close co-operation with the art academies and the associated museums and galleries will enable the IAM to present itself at international scenes.

homegrown - die OSTRALE´012 strikes roots
With the issue "homegrown“ the OSTRALE‘012 is dedicated to the self-cultivated or self-grown and is principally asking for localizing creative impetuses in a spatial, temporal and cultural context. Focus of attention is the relation between tradition and innovation. The topic "homegrown“ is especially relevant for the OSTRALE‘012 because of the recently signed 10-year rental contract for the main exhibition buildings :Futterställe“. The contract enables the OSTRALE to find a lasting home in the Ostragehege of Dresden as well as to develop itself as a strong contemporary pole in the cultural landscape of Dresden.

A review of the last few years illustrates the enormous progress of the OSTRALE. The number of attendees speaks for itself: In 2007 there were 4.000 visitors. Last year already 17.000 visitors went to see the OSTRALE. The exceptional project targets further growth and success, artistically as well as creative economically and socioculturally.