The path and architecture of the "Risto Stijović" Gallery

The exhibition "Gallery 'Risto Stijović' - Architecture: Projects and Realizations" dedicated to the 55th anniversary of the founding of the Gallery "Risto Stijović", which deals with the architectural gallery space and the genesis of its creation in the function of housing the collection, opened yesterday in Podgorica, on the plateau in front of the National Library "Radosav Ljumović". Curator, art historian Sladjana Zunjic, She stated that the exhibition is being held in an open, public space, but intentionally not in a gallery space, but in an urban space, with the aim of improving and expanding communication.

"In this regard, it is important to recall that space is one of the fundamental prerequisites for carrying out museum and gallery activities. Also, to point out the important role of the architect as the designer of the exterior and interior of the building, as well as the dependence of the realization of the exhibition on the creativity of the architect and his respect for the museological program as the basis for design. Therefore, it is necessary to emphasize the participation of a large number of authors in designing the spatial framework of the exhibition of the "Risto Stijović" Gallery, namely visual artists and architects. Pavle Popović, Slobodan Slovinić, Milan Popović, Mirjana Sekulić, Ljiljana Braletić, Velibor Radonjić, Aleksa Dajović and landscape architect. Vesna Jovović. It is also necessary to emphasize the exceptional contribution Tanja Đurović's breaks, curators of the collection of works Rista Stijović and the author of the Study for its permanent exhibition in the future Modern Gallery in the building of the former "Branko Božović" Elementary School from 1983 (today the "Vasa Pavić" Art School for Music and Ballet). This Study suggests the future spatial concept of the Gallery, and the collection of works is divided into six thematic units," said Žunjić at the beginning.

The initial idea of ​​the exhibition, the curator adds, was to present different project ideas and spatial architecture, since the Gallery was located in different buildings at several locations. Žunjić guided the attendees through the time, development, architectural, and systematic path of the "Risto Stijović" Gallery, and selected information and adequate accompanying photographs, drawings and documents can be found by interested visitors and passers-by on a panel in Njegoševa Street. The exhibition also presented projects of the original buildings, later adapted for the Gallery, from the Municipal Bathhouse building, represented by a drawing by the architect. Vušović News from 1943 and the Men's Craft School, the creations of a prominent architect Petar Vukotić from 1938 (later the "Branko Božović" Elementary School).

"At the beginning, the original existence of the Gallery in the building of the former City Bath was presented, when it opened on July 12, 1970, in an adapted building whose plan and technical description were done by Velibor Radonjić, a set designer and painter who also dealt with interior architecture. Then, the works that were carried out in 1973, including waterproofing and, in addition to the exhibition space, a sculptor's studio, were presented. In the same year, urban planning conditions for the development of the terrain for the "Risto Stijović" Gallery were also prescribed, based on which, in an approximate form, the development of the surrounding terrain was realized, which still exists today," the curator reminded.

Speaking chronologically about the history of the "Risto Stijović" Gallery, she also stated that the facility was closed in 1978, due to damage to the roof and the building's exposure to groundwater. The exhibits were then deposited in the Modern Gallery. This was followed by the decision to build a new Gallery building in Njegošev Park, for which Mirjana Sekulić created the conceptual design in 1980.

"With additional space opening and connecting the gallery building with the surroundings, an open exhibition and an open scene in the park behind the Gallery were designed, which subtly connected the gallery building to the surroundings: the fountain, the exhibition and entertainment part of the park. Despite the conclusion that in the next phase of the project, the competition work of the renowned architect Milan Popović would be accepted, equipped at the level of the conceptual design and subjected to revision, the realization of this project was abandoned in 1981. Then, a decision was made to locate the "Risto Stijović" Gallery, together with the Modern Gallery, in the building of the former 'Branko Božović' Elementary School, in the part of the ground floor to the left of the entrance. The conceptual solution, as well as the main interior design, were created by Slobodan Slovinić, a painter, graphic artist and interior architect, while the author of the main architectural and construction design was architect Pavle Popović. Arch. Ljiljana Braletić did the main interior design of the attic," stated Žunjić.

The renovation lasted from 1982 to 1998, when not only the Modern Gallery with the Gallery, but also other museum facilities, except for the cultural monument protection department, moved into the building. The Gallery is slowly approaching its current location in the Old Town.

"When the Museum moved into the renovated building of the former Graphic Institute in 2003, activities began to prepare project documentation for the construction of the "Risto Stijović" Gallery in Stara Varoš. After several years of stagnation and newly prescribed urban planning and technical conditions (2014), which required respect for the principles of unity, environmentalization and contextualization of space for the design and materialization of the objects of the Risto Stijović House complex, the birthplace was reconstructed and a new gallery was built, a neo-modernist gallery building, according to a project by architect Aleksa Dajović from 2016. The horticulture project, which was partially realized, was prepared the same year by Vesna Jovović, B.Eng. in Landscape Architecture," Žunjić pointed out.

She also pointed out the importance of architectural project documentation as museum material, but also the necessity of its collection, adequate preservation, research and presentation, through the future formation of a collection of architecture and plans at the Museum. She also announced that the catalogue will soon be published in the form of a monographic publication, with a review and translation into English.

The exhibition was realized as part of the Podgorica Cultural Summer event.