At this year's Biennale in Venice, Montenegro is represented by a project that reflects the richness of Montenegrin culture, tradition and contemporary creativity, said Minister of Culture and Media Tamara Vujović.
She said that the event, which is traditionally held in Venice, represents the core of contemporary art, gathering artists, curators, critics and art lovers from all over the world.
"Montenegro is presenting itself with a project that reflects the richness of our culture, tradition and contemporary creativity," stated Vujović in a statement to the MINA agency.
According to her, the participation of Montenegro in the Biennale has a special significance, because the country is represented by the exceptional visual artist Darja Bajagić.
"And I'm especially happy that it's her. A young artist, who returned to our country with the aim of contributing to the cultural scene. A lifelong "foreigner", to whom both Montenegro and Venice are her home, she already gives us answers with this experience as a traveler. on the topic of the Biennale - Strangers everywhere," Vujović said.
As she stated, the presence of Bajagić at the Biennale is not only a source of pride for Montenegro, but also an example of how young talents can inspire and enrich the Montenegrin art scene.
"If we are able to recognize them and continue to support them. And that is our most important task," Vujović pointed out.
She said that the island of Mamula, which had different roles over time, became for Bajagić a medium for defining the theme of the Biennale 2024 "Strangers everywhere".
Vujović reminded that the fortress was built by Austria-Hungary and later became a place of suffering as a concentration camp during the Second World War under the rule of the fascist forces of the Kingdom of Italy.
"It has been revitalized since 2016 with the help of foreign investments, which opens up philosophical questions about the position of the "other as a stranger" in society," Vujović added.
She said that even for her, as the granddaughter of camp inmate Mamula, this topic evokes conflicting feelings.
"Just as we sometimes feel in the presence of a stranger, the unknown. This is how this foreigner-investor divided the domestic public, into those who see in the hotel project, the desecration of the memory of "our struggles" and those who see progress and all good in the same topic," Vujović said.
She said that in the world of art "we often come across works that move, provoke and inspire us".
"One of such works is "It Takes an Island to Feel This Good", the project of our representative at the 60th Venice Biennale of Contemporary Art," stated Vujović.
As she said, if you start from the very title of the work - "It Takes an Island to Feel This Good", one cannot fail to notice its deeper meaning, with which the artist invites observers to think about the connection between place, identity and emotional states, feelings and perceptions. .
"The island as a symbol of isolation, but at the same time togetherness, lays the foundations for researching the complexity of the human experience. But what makes this work special are the deeper layers of meaning that can be discovered through careful observation and reflection," Vujović believes.
She said that Bajagić is not only an artist who creates visually attractive pieces.
"She is also a narrator of stories that illuminate the essential themes of human existence. Through her work, she explores issues of identity, belonging, loneliness and togetherness, leading us to deep reflections on our own lives, the variety of heritage and experiences," said Vujović.
According to her, a work by Bajagić is not only an aesthetic experience, but also a call to action, to reflection, to emotional and intellectual engagement.
"It reminds us that art is not only beautiful, but also powerful - powerful to connect us, to inspire us, to challenge us to change as a means of understanding and transformation," Vujović said.
As she stated, in a world that often seems fragmented and separated, such art reminds us that connection is possible.
"And that, perhaps, we really need an island in order to feel that good thread with ourselves and the world around us," Vujović added.
The director of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Vladislav Šćepanović, previously said that this time Montenegro will present itself in a new space - the Ospedaletto, which is located in a prominent position in Venice.
Vujović said that the Ministry allocated EUR 70 for the lease of the new space and, as a sponsor of the exhibition, made an important contribution to present Montenegro to the world in a high-quality manner.
"This testifies to the joint effort of the Museum of Contemporary Art and the MKM to create the best possible conditions for our future artists," said Vujović.
She said that the Ministry will try to promote this important exhibition and the Biennale in general during its duration.
Vujović invited all citizens of Montenegro, all art lovers to visit the Montenegrin pavilion in Italy in the coming months.
"We invite all our students studying in Italy to visit the Biennale of Contemporary Art, to support and be proud of our Darja, our contemporary art scene and our efforts to bring Montenegrin culture closer to the world," Vujović said.
She said that they want to plan "far and high".
"With the support of patrons and experts, I believe that Montenegro has a great future in the world of art," stated Vujović.
She said that they will continue to nurture talents, support innovations and promote the culture of Montenegro at the international level.
"The Venice Biennale is just one of many platforms where we will continue to present ourselves and achieve great results," said Vujović.
As she stated, Montenegrin art exudes the ideas of predecessors who tried to give answers to big questions, "but it also forces us to overcome the high standards they set".
"Their creativity should encourage and inspire us to continue preserving the messages and values that their works have given us, but also, we need to create new art, a new expression, for new generations. Because art is endless and all-pervading, in a continuum that is spreading," concluded Vujović.
Bonus video:
