Visibility of young artists for a better society

The name of the exhibition and the project "I see an artist! I sense a better society" acts as a message that is easy to interpret - for a better society, greater visibility of artists and more investment in art and culture is necessary.

The exhibition was opened yesterday in the entrance part of the Art Pavilion of the Association of Fine Artists of Montenegro (ULUCG) in Podgorica, and the name in itself is also symptomatic of the situation in which young artists find themselves today, the director of ULUCG told "Vijesta" Igor Rakčević.

"The goal of the project was to explore the resources we have when it comes to young artists and to see how they think in terms of art, but also in terms of their social status. The project envisages three main activities, one of which is the opening of this joint exhibition of artists who have passed the basic selection on a given topic. In addition, the first of ten works by young authors was inaugurated at the same time. These are large works printed on tarpaulin, with an area of ​​35 square meters, which will be exhibited on the facade of the ULUCG Pavilion. This is the second selection of ten artists who were chosen by an expert jury and to whom we paid attention, in the sense that we provided them with a larger space for exposure, better visibility, but also the possibility of visibility of their views, through a statement that was recorded and linked via QR code and applied in addition to the work itself," said Rakčević.

In addition to these two segments, he explains that the project envisages a conference with a focus on the position of young artists in society, in which artists selected for exhibition in an open space will participate, as well as decision makers and representatives of institutions.

"That conference will be held in September, and its goal is to point out the position of young artists and present ways in which that status could be improved," announced Rakčević.

"From the abyss, bad situations, ugly memories, which are shown by the black spots at the bottom of the canvas, we can pull ourselves out in the most beautiful form and light, with the most beautiful hope, the symbolism of which is precisely the colorful flowers and their luxurious shape, like something that took the breath of happiness . Here, flowers are a symbol of youth, and their colors are a symbol of diversity, both of us young as individuals, and of our life experiences. The picture makes up the whole of the realm of good and bad," Čavić pointed out and said that with her work, she sends a message that strong and good people are born from difficult situations, which younger people should not forget.

An artist Branka Kovačević she presented two of her works, and her aesthetics and style are very striking and stand out with many colors and symbols. All her works, she says, are based on self-reflection, and she also questions issues of visibility...

"Through my creative work, I try to reconsider my own identity using motifs such as gender, sexuality, femininity, religion, kitsch, nostalgia... Although my personal identity is not unknown to me, the visibility or invisibility of it in the time and place in which I am, it's something I struggle with. Therefore, using the collage technique, and with the use of symbols, I put myself (my character) in different roles, presenting not only myself, but also all women (people) who question their roles", Kovačević explained.

She added that she uses art as a learning mechanism, but also as a way of self-analysis, and certainly as a means of communication with observers, just like Maša Laković which presented itself with the striking work "(AP) fear" in which it plays with terms, the meaning of concepts and human observation.

"I believe that the contemporary artist, for the sake of a more successful presentation of his own concept, should use adequate means of advertising. That's why I choose a poster with the goal of mass reproduction of that work, and I also choose a QR code as a form of virtual communication," she explained.

The project "I see an artist! I envision a better society" is implemented by ULUCG with the support of the program "CSOs in Montenegro - from basic services to policy formulation - M'BASE" implemented by the Center for Civic Education, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, the Center for the Protection and Study of Birds of Montenegro and the Politikon Network . The project is financed by the European Union, and co-financed by the Ministry of Public Administration, Digital Society and Media.

Detail of Stefan Todorović on the facade of the ULUCG Pavilion

In addition to the exhibition of young artists, the first in a series of art solutions that will be visible on the facade of the ULUCG Pavilion was presented yesterday. These works will change every 10 days, ending on September 14, and the first of the ten artists to be presented is Stefan Todorović.

His motive for applying for this opportunity is the opportunity to present himself in the public space, which he often thinks about, he said.

"I believe that art belongs to the public space and I think that affirmation in that context is necessary, just like practicing art in public space. I think it will help the affirmation of young artists to be more visible in society. Every initiative like this is good, no matter how it sounds in general," he said.

When asked what was the inspiration for this presentation, he said that it does not work according to the "principle of inspiration".

"For this project, I chose a detail of a painting made five or six years ago, which I like visually and which I thought would be interesting for this type of promotion in the public space," he said.

Todorović adds that cultural institutions do not listen to young artists, but he believes that the problem is systemic, deeper and requires a wider analysis.

"The problem is not only in investments, but also in the motive itself and the question of the position of art in society. I think we have not clarified that, and it is very important," he concludes.

The activity of young artists is a specific phenomenon

The criterion for both selections within the project "I see an artist! I sense a better society" was artistic quality, but also an adequate response to the topic regarding the position of artists in Montenegrin society. Nevertheless, although Rakčević confirms that greater visibility of artists is needed, he also says that the passivity of younger artists is somewhat present.

"We do not have visible young artists in Montenegrin society. As part of the preparation for this project, we conducted a survey where we found that around 35 artists annually graduate from one of the higher art schools in Montenegro or abroad. We can't recognize that number of artists and we don't see them... In some places, the inactivity of young artists is present as a specific phenomenon", says Rakčević and takes this project as an example, which deals with it:

"I must point out that we had fewer registered artists for this project than we expected, and additionally because the artists who exhibit their works on the facade of the Pavilion, in addition to visibility and public presentation, also receive a monetary amount related to copyright, and the gross amount is 300 euros, which, although a modest compensation, I think is a motivation for the artist to appear in public", he said.