That the progress of culture and art causes a "domino" or "Bilbao" effect is no longer just a theory, but a reality that shapes communities, cities, states and societies. Montenegro has important continuity, creative quality, but also life in the field of fine arts, so, in addition to exhibitions of domestic and regional artists, presentations of world artists are increasingly common.
During 2024, Montenegro hosted some of the renowned names of the world's art scene within the framework of various exhibitions, and it seems that this practice will continue in 2025. Among others, the following stand out: Erro, Kiki Smith, Shejla Kameric, Richard Deacon, but also our, Montenegrin, and world artists - Vojo Stanić, Mijo Mijušković, Miodrag Dado Đurić whose large exhibition recently opened at CANU.
Thanks to such guest appearances, due to increasing institutional support, the Montenegrin art scene is slowly but surely moving beyond the local framework and connecting with global trends, but also entering the world stage itself, which is both an artistic destination and a region recognized for its rich and authentic artistic creators of all generations. However, the answer to the question “Can culture become one of the key pillars of the development of Montenegrin society?” still seems too easy, unfortunately, but hope remains. It is important, in all this, to constantly work on the development of culture, including its artistic aspect, with a constant reminder that, after all, artists are the most important link in this entire system, because it is precisely their creativity, vision, engagement and strength that are necessary for the strong “Bilbao” effect.
In addition to supporting local authors, the presence of the image and work of renowned and world-renowned artists in Montenegro is of enormous importance. The significance of this is reflected on multiple levels, from individual insight into the world trends of contemporary art, through professional growth and critical thought, education, to cultural tourism, the economy and the overall popularization and visibility of the country.
"I believe that it is very important for the Montenegrin art scene to open up to global artistic trends and tendencies. I think it is very important, especially for small communities like ours, to network Montenegrin artists with the global scene, connecting them through international exhibitions and events, which can help improve the visibility of our art on the world stage," the curator of the Museum of Contemporary Art emphasized in an interview with Vijesti. Milica Bezmarevic (Radulovic).
Synergy of all
In the past year, Bezmarević has "carried" some of the most significant or even the most high-profile exhibitions as a curator. Opportunities like these, both for professionals and for art lovers and admirers, as well as laypeople and society as a whole, are refreshing, but also imperative for the Montenegrin art and cultural scene. However, this was not so common in the past, she points out in an interview with Vijesti.
"Unfortunately, recent practice has not shown enough such examples, so everything was actually based on personal - individual efforts of individuals to enter the wider, international art scene. All the while, there was a lack of systematic institutional support and an adequate strategy that would enable greater presence and visibility of our visual artists outside the local scene," summarizes the curator of the MSUCG.
The importance of synergy between all participants in the art scene is also emphasized by the director of the Public Institution Museums and Galleries of Podgorica, Ivana Ćupić.
“We feel a great honor and pleasure that Richard Deacon, one of the greatest European artists, exhibited at our institution. Thanks to the excellent cooperation with the curators from the Belgrade gallery 'Dots', Mirjana Dusic i Ljubi Jovicević", this exhibition exceeded our expectations in terms of the interest of the audience and the complete organization of the opening. Significant world names from the world of culture and art coming to exhibit in Montenegro are an indicator that cultural institutions in our country are functioning, that cultural workers are doing their job well, and that our capital city and the country are recognized as quality and professional hosts who can provide artists with the best possible museum and gallery experience," believes Ćupić.
Despite conflicting opinions, interest in art is growing, notes Serbian curator Ljuba Jovićević, who was involved in the exhibitions “Kiki Smith - Woven Worlds” and “In Search of Something” by Richard Deacon. She adds that in recent years we have been living in an era of global art boom, both globally and locally.
"Many new museums and galleries have opened, and the interest of the public, the public and the media in contemporary art is enormous. The selection of quality exhibitions by world-renowned artists is of great importance, both for the general public and for professionals. This is shown by attendance statistics and the diversity of the age of visitors," Jovićević concludes.
Cultural tourism
It is clear that exhibitions and guest appearances like these have an impact on the culture and art of Montenegro, whether it concerns the wider public or a narrower circle of artists. However, the impact is also felt in other spheres of life, and is thus reflected in the economy, tourism, and the emancipation of citizens, overall strengthening the cultural and artistic tourism of Montenegro and Podgorica.
"Exhibitions of this scale have long-term economic significance. They promote cultural tourism in the city and the country, among other things. It is also significant that collectors are increasingly turning to investing in contemporary art. When it comes to exhibitions where the artist is present at the exhibition and opening, they also have great educational significance. In addition to interviews, meetings, lectures, academy students are given the opportunity to see live the works of the artists they study, which is very stimulating for their creative work," recalls Mirjana Dušić, who worked on two exhibitions in Podgorica together with Jovićević.
This is evidenced by the data recently shared by Ćupić, that of the total number of visitors recorded by the Museums and Galleries of Podgorica in the past year, almost half of them were from abroad, and they will continue to work on this in the future.
"We continue with intensive work and can expect more successful projects. The beginning of the year was marked by the exhibition by Richard Deacon, which represents the aspiration of Podgorica and Montenegro to be placed on the artistic and cultural map of the world. The implementation of such large projects, which would not be possible without the cooperation and support of colleagues from the region, is important for our institution in order to maintain its reputation, which is recognized as one of the most significant in culture in our local community," she points out for Vijesti.
Ćupić also emphasizes that the cultural institution he heads will have a souvenir shop up and running by the summer, presenting the cultural, historical and artistic heritage of both Podgorica and Montenegro. He believes that this will greatly strengthen the tourist offer and the level of satisfaction, both among tourists and the domestic audience.
At the opening of the Kiki Smit exhibition in Podgorica, the director of the MSUCG Vladislav Scepanovic He emphasized and promised that in 2025, all the capacities of this cultural institution will be utilized so that the audience will once again have the opportunity to enjoy great and important works by famous names on the world art scene that will arrive in Montenegro.
Ljuba Jovićević, in an interview with Vijesti, added that she and Dušić had the opportunity to see the conceptual architectural design of the complex of the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Natural History Museum and the House of Architecture, the realization of which, they agreed, would be of great importance both for Montenegro and for the region.
"The project is exceptional, both because of its location and the idea of merging several museums to create a cultural and artistic center. The realization of this project would be of great importance not only for Montenegro but also for the entire region. Such an impact of architecture on the development of tourism and the economy even has its own name, the 'Bilbao' effect, which comes from the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, which opened in 1997 and caused a significant increase in tourism and investment. It would open up the possibility of new collaborations and significant projects that would attract a large number of visitors, and this complex would definitely become a landmark of the city," emphasizes Jovićević.
“Public” Factor
Commenting on the situation in Montenegro regarding the position of art, Milica Bezmarević notes, however, that any type of investment in artists and in art in general should be one of the priorities of any somewhat orderly and serious society.
"From the basic provision of space for artists to work, through the provision of scholarships and all other educational opportunities to the presentation of their creativity, these are some of the key elements for the development of Montenegrin fine arts. Also, encouraging critical thinking and creative research can contribute to the development of new art forms and directions," she lists.
In this context, Ćupić points out that everyone at the Museums and Galleries of Podgorica, as cultural institutions, is equally focused on both domestic and foreign audiences, and that they take care of everything is confirmed by the hiring of a sign language interpreter for the recent exhibition opening ceremony. Mirjane Marsenić Vujović.
"We strive to provide visitors with the highest quality museum and gallery experience. By creating diverse, authentic cultural content, we strive to present the local art scene to tourists in the best possible way, which we hope we succeed in. Promoting the content that our institution offers is of key importance because we live in a virtual age where all the desired information can be found on the internet and social networks. When it comes to accompanying materials for the exhibitions we prepare, they are usually bilingual, which helps foreign visitors understand what they are about. The guides who are engaged in the spaces also play an important role in bringing current content closer to the audience. Additionally, we would like to emphasize that last year we had a record number of visitors, more than half of whom were tourists from abroad. We again associate this with the rich program that was successfully implemented, and therefore we decided to have a rich museum and gallery program this year as well, in order to attract as many tourists as possible," announces Ćupić.
Bezmarević further looks at visitors to cultural and artistic events, as well as the impact of such events and their representation in the media.
"As for the audience, one of the very important steps is to spread social awareness about the importance of fine arts in general, through education, primarily through the education system, and then through exhibitions, permanent museum displays, etc.... Also, valuable engagement of the media is necessary, in order to bring art closer to the wider audience and to break down prejudices about its elitist character," says Bezmarević.
Ćupić adds that, when it comes to renowned world artists, such exhibitions bring with them greater challenges and responsibilities.
"That is why thorough preparation and research are of key importance. The benefits are manifold, both for our country and cultural institutions, and for the artists themselves who have the opportunity to expand their audience and exhibit somewhere they have not been before. As for the contribution to other industries such as tourism and the economy, we believe that every event that goes beyond the everyday and familiar can have a positive impact on their development. Montenegro, as a country that predominantly lives from tourism, meets the needs of both the local population and tourists with such events, who can enjoy rich cultural content that can be both new and familiar to them at the same time. In this way, the best advertising is created, visibility is increased, and our country and society are recognized as desirable destinations," sums up the director of the Museum and Galleries of Podgorica.
Domestic potential
When asked which way Montenegrin fine arts are going, whether, how and where they should be directed, Milica Bezmarević reminds us of the importance of institutional support, but also of the wealth we have, which we are often not even aware of.
"Montenegro has enough serious visual artists, who, I am sure, can equally share space with other artists on a much larger, international art scene. I am working on exactly such an exhibition, conceived as a selection of internationally renowned artists, regional artists and artists from Montenegro, with colleagues - art historians from Skopje and Belgrade, Jovanka Popova i Michel Blanus, which will open at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Montenegro in December 2025, and then in Belgrade, Skopje and beyond. I believe that this exhibition will be an opportunity for a broader, international perception of one aspect of the Montenegrin art scene. In this project, I have the full support of my home Museum of Contemporary Art, which is again very important, because without institutional support, which has been lacking for a long period in recent years, it is difficult to plan and implement projects of this capacity," says Bezmarević.
She also commented on the cooperation with colleagues from Serbia, Ljuba Jovićević and Mirjana Dušić, as well as the realization of all major exhibitions in the past year, which would not have been possible without institutional support.
"In that sense, it is very important that, in addition to the personal efforts that each of us is willing to invest in the realization of a project, there is support from the entire system in which artists are the most important link," she concludes.
As for the Montenegrin art scene, Ćupić believes that it is rich in extremely talented young artists, some of whom they plan to hire, while not forgetting that additional affirmation of the work of old masters, whom the audience always eagerly awaits and knows well, is needed.
"We want to show that Montenegro, Podgorica and our institution have the capacity to host world-renowned artists, but also that we have to offer equally high-quality artists who can compete side by side in the market of ideas and aesthetics," she says.
It reminds us that Montenegro is rich in extremely talented and creative young people who can influence the further development of our art scene.
"Far from the fact that the time of the older generations has passed, on the contrary! Masters like Dado Đurić or Vojo Stanić have proven that Montenegro can be on par with some other world art centers when it comes to creators. Also, through various international projects that our institution implements, the promotion of our country on the world cultural scene is strengthened, and cooperation with foreign artists, galleries and institutions helps in overcoming cultural differences and opening Montenegro to the world," emphasizes Ćupić and adds:
"All cultural institutions should strive not only to support the creativity of local artists in Montenegro, but also to support their exhibitions outside Montenegro, which greatly contributes not only to the artists, but also to the expansion of the image of our country in the world... Since last year we started good cooperation with diplomatic missions and their cultural branches, we will strive not only to receive artists who would exhibit in Montenegro, but also to create reciprocity. Thus, during this and the following years, we will also succeed in sending Montenegrin artists to their countries, and create perfect cooperation based on equality and equity," says Ćupić.
Inspiration
Ćupić says that Montenegro, as a small and diverse country, can become a world-class art destination due to several factors. In addition to numerous others and those already mentioned, as a painter, she also looked at another aspect of what Montenegro offers - inspiration and arousal.
"Our landscapes have long attracted the attention of various artists, not just visual artists, so we will try to organize art colonies in the coming period, so that we can present ourselves on the world stage for what our country is most recognizable for - natural beauty...", emphasizes Ćupić.
Although there are many art colonies and other similar events and organizations across the country, it seems that there is room for improvement in the future, with a focus on residencies, creation in unique spaces and authentic locations, which would further connect culture and tourism, and which would over time increasingly attract numerous world-renowned artists.
Artists who communicate in all languages
Commenting on the significance of the exhibitions she was involved in in Montenegro, Mirjana Dušić explains to Vijesti what distinguishes Smith and Deacon, whose exhibitions attracted great attention in Podgorica, and how and what they, as creators, communicate through their works to society as a community, but also to the observer as an individual.
"Kiki Smith, through detailed depictions and symbolism through various art forms such as sculptures, tapestries, drawings and graphics, encourages the audience to think about ever-current topics such as identity, the body, the relationship between man and nature, the strength and fragility of women," summarizes Dušić and adds:
“Richard Deacon uses a variety of materials, such as wood, metal and ceramics, to explore the interaction between form and space. His abstract sculptures often ask questions about how shape, surface and colour can influence perception, leaving room for free interpretation by the audience,” Mirjana Dušić sums up the presented work of great artists.
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