Zlatko Glamočak's conceptual solution for the memorial to Uroš Tošković in Bar sublimates the spiritual and character explicitness of the famous artist, art historian Anastazija Miranović, president of the Commission for the evaluation and selection of the architectural-artistic solution for the memorial to Uroš Tošković, assessed in an interview for Vijesti.
The Commission was appointed by the President of the Municipality of Bar, and in addition to Miranović, it was also composed of: the Chief City Architect of the Municipality of Bar, Igor Milošević and the sculptor Nenad Šoškić, M.Sc. The competition does not define a deadline for the construction of the monument, and the general criteria for choosing the best architectural and artistic solution are aesthetic and artistic quality, the level of sculptural performance and the originality of the idea, the competition says.
The conceptual solution of the monument to Tošković offered by Glamočak, says Miranović, fully meets/fulfills the aspirations of the tenderer - the Secretariat for Culture of the Municipality of Bar, in which Article 7.2 states that "the tender proposal for the monument should contain elements that clearly determine the physical, spiritual and character recognition of Uroš Tošković".
Uroš was often present on the shore of the lake, carrying a sack over his shoulder, unclothed to the waist, in winter boots in the hottest summer heat, drawing attention to himself. Uroš himself commented that his relics are in the bag he is carrying. Uroš carried the ballast of art/life with dignity, defiantly, fighting, as only he knew how," points out Miranović
"These characteristics are explicitly expressed in the first prize-winning solution of the sculptor Zlatko Glamočak. The given conceptual solution, in the portrait of the artist, as well as in the figure, undoubtedly indicates the physical recognition of Uroš Tošković. Also, the conceptual solution of Zlatko Glamočak sublimates the spiritual and character explicitness of the famous artist - characteristic, 'Uroš', focused, 'angry' look, 'frown' eyebrows and wrinkled forehead, accentuated nose, protruding chin - suggest character and create an impression, an experience of Uroš we remember", says Miranović.
In addition to Glamočak's work, which was awarded with 1,5 thousand euros, the second-ranked work in the competition was the work of Slavenko Rakočević, who was awarded with one thousand euros.
When asked by Vijesta whether the Commission had doubts when choosing the winning solution, and considering that earlier memorials to the sculptor Zlatko Glamočak often caused divided, often rather harsh reactions in the public in Montenegro, which was the case with the monuments to Ljub Čupić in To Nikšić and Aleksandar Les Ivanović in Cetinje, Miranović replied that they were not there.
"Primarily, we were guided by what we considered, which is why we were formed as a Commission. Regarding the offered conceptual solutions, we had no doubts", she says.
Miranović points out that the selected work corresponds to the context, but also to the place where the monument will be placed - on the Promenade of King Nikola, where one of the greatest artists of this area, who spent the last years of his life in Bar, left an indelible mark of his spirit.
"In the installation of a figure in motion, a dynamic solution was given by the artist, who was always in motion - physically and mentally, with a restless spirit and attitude, always ready for action, in every sense of the word. Accompanying elements/attributes (shoes/boots, a bag he carries over his shoulder) refer to the symbolic context. Uroš was often present on the shore of the lake, carrying a sack over his shoulder, unclothed to the waist, in winter boots in the hottest summer heat, drawing attention to himself. Uroš himself commented that his relics are in the bag he is carrying. Uroš carried the ballast of art/life in a dignified, defiant, fighting way, as only he knew how," points out Miranović, who once collaborated with him on exhibitions in Bar.
By erecting a monument to Tošković, in the announcement that the Municipality of Bar previously submitted, they want to pay back at least a little to the famous painter, but also to try to preserve his inviolable spirit on the streets and shores of Bar for generations to come.
"Uroš was 'living, walking art'. The conceptual solution of Zlatko Glamočak brings exactly that/such Uroš Tošković, both in terms of physical recognition, as well as in terms of Tošković's spirit and character. Taking into account the environment in which the monument will be placed (bar promenade by the shore), Glamočak's conceptual solution brings a 'living' Uroš, creating in correlation/communication the impression of a direct encounter with a great artist", emphasizes the art historian.
The monument will be made of bronze, approximately life-size (with a maximum deviation of 20 percent), it is stated in the conditions of the competition, and it will be placed on a stone pedestal measuring up to 50 centimeters, on which, according to the competition, which was announced and commissioned by the Municipality of Bar, write: "Toscovitch/Uroš Tošković/1932 - 2019".
Miranović has no information about the budget allocated for this purpose, but he clearly points out that it is an important undertaking for the culture of Montenegro, but also a kind of precedent.
"It is extremely important that monuments to Montenegrin artists are erected/placed in public places. If it is known that it is legally possible to erect/place a monument, a memorial only after 20 years from the death of a certain public figure, it is a kind of success that we are able to realize the given conceptual solution. This, at the same time, shows that the state, the relevant Ministry and the Municipality of Bar have recognized the importance of this undertaking. Also, by this we show how much we appreciate and respect our artists/art (those for whom the monuments are erected, as well as those who realize them), we affirm and point to their personality and work, we non-verbally educate and suggest true values", points out Miranović and concludes:
"I hope that this will not remain a rare example, but that other Montenegrin municipalities will also recognize the importance of ennobling their public spaces with sculptural works that affirm our artists and art. I am glad that a monument in his honor will be erected in Bar, a city that saw Uroš as his fellow citizen".
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