SUZOVAČA

Solo exhibition
08.07 – 05.08.2022

Art always is a medium of communication. Sometimes to express a concrete thought, vision or aspect, sometimes to articulate an abstract or emotional universe beyond words. And vice versa, art has always been influenced by communication. Arguments, discussions, criticism and new inspirations are one of the key origins for creating art. Often these places of communication turn into art themselves. Raphael's Fresco „The School of Athens“, Frans Hals „Shrovetide Revellers“ or Diego Velazquez „Luncheon“ among countless others depict different forms of verbal communication in different social settings from different times.

„Bodegones“, the depiction of everyday life situations, often located in kitchens, restaurants or bars, are highlighting these places of personal exchange. I explored one setting of verbal interaction in particular. In my exhibition „Suzovača“ the Monolog Gallery reflected a Kafana, an important nucleus of social exchange in Serbia. A Kafana is a place where one goes to let go, it is an environment of emotional outbursts, shouting, crying, physical confrontation, confessions, penance, and glass shattering galore.

One of the key ingredients of this unique atmosphere is Serbian alcoholic beverage known as Rakija. It is the oil that greases this unpredictable engine of emotions. “Suzovača” refers to the central artwork in the exhibition, a bottle of Rakija, based on tears. In this case, my own. A salty metaphor of bottled emotions. The title of the exhibition and its penultimate piece came about as a play on words, from typical names for rakija depending on the flavor, and suze (meaning tears) as its key ingredient. Moreover, it represents a specific formula that puts together tears and alcohol in a drinkable form.

Curators: Denis Leo Hegić and Jan Gustav Fiedler