Two significant anniversaries are the reason for organizing the "Canu Artists" exhibition.
Namely, ten years ago, one of the oldest Balkan states - Montenegro, renewed its statehood. It was according to the procedure determined by the modern world, which was carried out in a way that belongs to societies with a mature political culture.
At the same time, this year we celebrate the 45th anniversary of the passing of the Law establishing the highest institution of science and art in Montenegro - the Montenegrin Academy of Sciences and Arts.
Such events clearly testify that the state is not only what we see - territory, citizens and organized government. It is something more and deeper than that. It carries an Idea recognized, carried and shaped by the most prominent at one time. The shaping of that idea is the spirituality of a society, the people that make it up and the state that represents it. This spirituality is shaped by institutions and individuals.
Among them, artists played a special role in shaping Montenegrin spirituality. It is not an exaggeration to say that in this ascetic work, artists were more important than thinkers and believers. And the greatest we had, whose words we are still deciphering, was a greater thinker than a believer and a greater artist than a thinker. That's why we can say that our spirituality was shaped more by an image than a concept.
That constellation of great artists also includes those who were members of CANU in various capacities. They are: Miodrag Dado Đurić, Branko Filipović Filo, Vuko Radović, Luka Tomanović, Dušan Vukotić Vud, Aleksandar Prijić, Miloš Vušković, Vojislav Vojo Stanić, Anka Burić, Dragan Karadžić, Pavle Pejović, Dimitrije Popović, Tome Serafimovski, Petar Omčikus.
Their work says that the artist is a part of the higher world, just as his work is a drop of the invisible sea. But, when that drop touches us, provided that we are ready for that encounter, then something more, deeper and more human is revealed.
This is evidenced by their stories, which we call poetics.
The greatest among them tell their stories about the same thing, but not equally. They say that the best among us did not enter this world to take and get, but to give and create. This is the only way to preserve continuity and defend identity.
It is an honor for Montenegro and the Montenegrin Academy of Sciences and Arts that among those who have gathered us tonight are artists who are not from Montenegro, as well as those who created their most significant work outside of Montenegro. But the fact that they were members of CANU speaks of the openness of both this institution and its country.
Dear friends, recently our academy organized an important international scientific meeting "1000th anniversary of St. John Vladimir". If we were to summarize his message, then we could say that it was a praise of humanity.
The exhibition "Canu Artists", in its deepest meaning and message, is nothing but a praise of spirituality. That is why I am honored to declare this exhibition open.
(Speech at the opening of the exhibition "Fine Artists of CANU", on the occasion of 10 years since the restoration of independence and 45 years of CANU, Center of Contemporary Art, Dvorac Petrovića, Podgorica)
Gallery
Bonus video:
