New heroic images in Ljubljana Author: Boris Beja, Slovenia |
In October, "new heroic images" were on display in Ljubljana, which temporarily complemented the visual backdrop of our capital. The poster places were occupied by the Kurents. The project was created in the spring in the studio of the Pioneer Home - Center for Youth Culture, under the direction of academic sculptor Boris Bey. He was also supported by the Youth Center Zagorje ob Savi and is involved in the international project Youth Specific Art.
Without slogans or quotes, the exhibition is thought-provoking. It is about who scares us, who young (and even not so young) people can be afraid of, and in what way we perceive the mythological creation from the Ptuj field today. The message is open and we are not making any conclusions; we are leaving it open. Above all, with such a project, public institutions enable young people to be overlooked, seen and heard on the streets. Last but not least, we are not talking enough about the consequences of the imprisonment of public educational institutions. During the spring rites, Kurents talked about the fact that the devil took the joke. Five different motifs, thus, build a new pattern in Ljubljana, a new form in the floor plan of the arrangements, which in a way builds a better community in images and cooperation.
Without slogans or quotes, the exhibition is thought-provoking. It is about who scares us, who young (and even not so young) people can be afraid of, and in what way we perceive the mythological creation from the Ptuj field today. The message is open and we are not making any conclusions; we are leaving it open. Above all, with such a project, public institutions enable young people to be overlooked, seen and heard on the streets. Last but not least, we are not talking enough about the consequences of the imprisonment of public educational institutions. During the spring rites, Kurents talked about the fact that the devil took the joke. Five different motifs, thus, build a new pattern in Ljubljana, a new form in the floor plan of the arrangements, which in a way builds a better community in images and cooperation.
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I was not even aware that our work was going to be exhibited on the streets, so when I saw my poster it was an accident. I was completely shocked. It was displayed in the very centre of Ljubljana and I immediately started taking pictures of it. I felt such pride and joy that I instantly called my friends. I probably felt like a proud parent, and I knew right away this was probably the biggest thing that has happened to me, art wise. While I was admiring our masterpiece, I also called my mum and by the time I came home my whole family knew that I was exhibiting in the capital. What made the whole thing even better, was a random lady who was taking photos in front of my work.
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On the first poster location we didn't stay too long but I knew there was another one in the centre of Ljubljana. The second location was even closer to my heart because when I laid eyes on my poster it felt like it was always meant to be there. I could see it from the end of the street and I rushed to it with excitement. Though I've already seen it, I couldn't believe how beautiful it was. I again was speechless. I couldn't stop looking at it and all of its flaws, and I came closer and hugged it. It was my creation, but it was also my friend. I sent a picture to my mum and dad who were really happy for me. I also sent a picture to my three best friends and some classmates. I would've loved to stay there the whole day but I had to leave to see the other posters. I wasn't sad, the feeling of knowing it's going to be there with or without me was filling me with joy.
My Kurent was an individual just as much as it was a part of a bigger picture. Together, our Kurents created something different than they did as individuals. It was very interesting to watch the process of our posters; from a piece of linoleum to a big artwork with many details. Every one of our Kurents has a very different character; it reflects who we are as a person and as an artist. Therefore, every poster has its own story in which the main character was the Kurent in the middle. Before I saw my poster I felt like my Kurent was boring and too simple, but when I saw it in its whole light I realized it was just like me. If I was making it in a different place or under different circumstances, it could've been darker or scarier, but when I was making it in Pionirski dom I felt more calm and gentle.
My Kurent was an individual just as much as it was a part of a bigger picture. Together, our Kurents created something different than they did as individuals. It was very interesting to watch the process of our posters; from a piece of linoleum to a big artwork with many details. Every one of our Kurents has a very different character; it reflects who we are as a person and as an artist. Therefore, every poster has its own story in which the main character was the Kurent in the middle. Before I saw my poster I felt like my Kurent was boring and too simple, but when I saw it in its whole light I realized it was just like me. If I was making it in a different place or under different circumstances, it could've been darker or scarier, but when I was making it in Pionirski dom I felt more calm and gentle.
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The whole art piece became much more interesting, there was a lot more happening in it. You could still see my Kurent, but in the background there were also other Kurents, all the different shapes and patterns. I think it has a great message, which we share around the town and I really like being a part of it.
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If you are working on a piece for a long time, you may get tired of it, but it is so important to stay consistent throughout the entire work, especially when it's on such a big scale as our Kurents were. When I saw my Kurent enlarged, I immediately noticed what I wanted to change on my mould. But I loved everything on the other girls' Kurents. And it was probably the same for them, seeing only problems in their own work. I think noticing things you could improve is a good thing and being open to constructive criticism is an even better thing, because this means you know how to improve. We should not let our mistakes define us, but rather how we concur them and improve and grow with each work that we do.
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I never realized how the enviromemt can completely change the meaning of the artwork. My first poster in Fužine was in the parking lot of a grocery store. It was surrounded by monotone apartment buildings and to me it somehow felt very young and bright. Though I just wanted to protect it I also felt like it was protecting the surroundings. My second poster was located in the city centre and it was placed next to our SNT Drama and a big concrete apartment complex which is still in the process of construction. To me it felt like a balancing point between the two worlds that create our city. It was just standing in the middle of the chaos that was arising around it but it stood straight, tall and brave and it was reminding us of the times when the Kurents were still chasing the winter away.
Author: Boris Beja, Slovenia