What's in a name?

‘Jaz sem Jasper’ was one of the first Slovenian phrases I learned. But why wasn’t I taught some more useful phrase? What does it matter to other people that these six letters in this particular order are in my passport? Ten years ago, questioning the random practice of naming and its consequences served as starting point of a project by three artists, who are now known as Janez Janša, Janez Janša, and Janez Janša. An overview of their activities in the Museum of Contemporary Art is discussed.

Glitterbeat could easily be the name of some cheerful sounding music genre. It is nevertheless the name of a record label based in Ljubljana. Their approach is worth highlighting, as a project with Khmer Rouge survivors underlines.

‘Lublana je bulana’ is the name of a song by Pankrti. Leaving out the j’s in the city’s name was not only done to let the title rhyme. It as well served as a sign, which showed that these punks did not adhere to common standards. It was the deconstruction of the ‘name’ in its most easiest and direct form.   

What’s in a name? In essence not much, or even nothing.