1

Galerija, izraz vere u potencijale Niša

Niš je grad duge istorije, slavnih imena u dalekoj prošlosti, gde se u glavi vladara cara Konstantina i majke Jelene začela današnja evropska hrišćanska civilizacija. Niš je danas grad mladih. Dovoljno je prošetati se njegovim ulicama koje vrve od energije mladosti. A gde je mladosti ima i dara. U to je poverovao Nišlija Radovan Lale Đuric, koji se odavno otisnuo od svoga rodnog grada i obreo u Njujorku. I gde je uspeo kao slikar. On nije žalio truda, rada i sredstava da osnuje Niš Art Foundation da se pomognu mladi darovi širom naše zemlje i da se napravi moderni galerijski prostor, najprostraniji, najlepši i najmoderniji u nas, gde će svake godine mladi slikari do 35 godina pokazati šta su stvorili tokom te godine. Niš, drugi grad po veličini u našoj zemlji, može upravo preko te galerije postati mesto iz kojeg će isijavati nova energija, novo viđenje i novi doživljaj sveta. Galerija se nudi i kao alternativni prostor za nova viđenja scenske umetnosti. Zahvaljujući donatoru DIN “Fabrika Duvana“ a.d. Niš, u sastavu Philip Morris International, sa već osvedočenim smislom za potencijale niške kulture, postoje svi uslovi da se ona razvije i da poduhvat sa galerijom prevaziđe lokalni okvir. Nije tajna da je u gradu Nišu zavladalo mrtvilo među onima koji bi trebalo da podstiču i održavaju nemalu kulturnu tradiciju ovog grada. Energija koja će isijavati iz galerije kao mesta novih poduhvata, biće impuls i za druga događanja u gradu. Galerija, i vera u mladost onih koji su oko galerije, uliće novu nadu u umetničke potencijale Niša. Ja verujem u te potencijale i misiju Fondacije koja je za dobrobit darova mladih i osnovana.

Jovan Ćirilov

The Gallery, Reflecting Faith in the Potentials of the City of Niš

Niš is a town of long history, of glorious names from distant past, the venue in which in the minds of Emperor Constantine and Mother Helen today’s European Christian civilization was conceived. Today, Niš is the city of the young. One needs only to walk along its streets and see them thronging with youthful energy. Energy breeds talent. Such was the belief of Niš native Radovan Lale Đurić, who moved out of his hometown long ago and settled in New York. There he became successful as a painter. He spared no effort, work or resources to start up Niš Art Foundation. Its objective is to help young talented individuals from around our country, and to make a streamlined gallery building, the most beautiful and modern in the region, where every year young artists, up to 35 years of age, will present their creations from the previous twelve months. Niš, the second city in the country by size, can use this very gallery as a centre from which a new kind of energy, a new view and experience of the world will emerge. In addition, the gallery will also provide an alternative stage for new enterprises in performing arts. Thanks to the donation of DIN “Fabrika Duvana“ a.d. Niš, part of Philip Morris International, a company with well-established understanding of the potentials of Niš culture, all conditions have been met for the Foundation to grow and for the gallery enterprise to extend beyond local borders. It is no secret that in Niš apathy prevails among those who should be supporting the cultural tradition of this city, which is by no means neglect-able. The energy that will glow from this gallery, as the core of new ventures, will provide impetus to other events in the city, too. The gallery, and faith in the youth of those around it, will bring in new hope for the artistic potentials of Niš. I believe in those potentials and in the mission of the Foundation, which started precisely with the benefit of youthful talent in mind.

Jovan Cirilov

2

Šta sve možeš u Srbiji kada si mlad umetnik?

Kada si mlad umetnik u Srbiji malo toga možeš da uradiš. Možeš vredno da radiš i da se nadaš da će te jednog dana otkriti neki kustos, neko iz redova malobrojnih poznatih galerista ili još malobrojnijih bogatih kolekcionara. Sa druge strane možeš da okušaš svoju sreću negde daleko u svetu i pokušaš da svoj talenat i znanje primeniš na najbolji mogući način.

Po nekom nepisanom pravilu od mladih se uvek očekuje nešto što stariji ili nisu uspeli da urade ili su uradili pogrešno. Kada imamo u vidu celok-upnu društvenu situaciju i okolnostima u kojima funkcionišemo, dolazimo da zaključka da ma šta uradili dobro su prošli, jer biti mlad umetnik u Srbiji je samo po sebi uspeh. Najmlađa generacija umetnika je po pravilu uvek prepuštena sama sebi. Posle školovanja i Akademije umetnici ulaze u jedan krajnje nesređen sistem u kome nema pravila i gde samo najuporniji opstaju. I dok su ranije postojale velike izložbe koje su imale za cilj da prikažu recentnu produkciju mladih umetnika, danas imamo svega nekoliko inicijativa koje u fokus svog interesovanja stavljaju delatnost domaćih mladih umetnika.

Neko će se možda sa pravom zapitati čemu sve to, zašto insistirati na umetnosti kada smo suočeni sa mnogobrojnim problemima koji svojom kompleksnošću i socijalnim karakterom nadaleko prevazilaze sve što umetnost može da ponudi? Jedan od odgovora bi mogao da bude prosto jer smo tako izabrali, jer znamo da umetnost prevazilazi sve banalnosti, jer umetnost ima moć generisanja ideja koje menjaju stvari iz korena. Ona je ta koja kritikuje, koja svojim suptilnim mehanizmima daje mogućnost da makar na kratko pobegnemo od surove realnosti, ili se pak hrabro suočimo sa njom.

Konkurs, nagrada i delovanje Niš Art Fonadcije je jedna od tih retkih inicijativa koja skreće pažnju javnosti na rad mladih umetnika u Srbiji. I pored nesumljivog kvaliteta domaćih umetnika kojima sasvim sigurno treba usmeravanje i vođenje od strane umetničkih profesionalaca, kada govorimo o sceni i odnosu društva naspram nje, možemo slobodno reći da nismo uspeli da umetnost učinimo zanimljivom i profitabilnom delatnošću. Umetnost i umetnici su još uvek na margini društvenih dešavanja jer su usled opšteg pada standarda, sunovrata vrednosti i tabloidizacije čitavog društva jednostavno isuviše normalan i nezanimljiv deo populacije. I pored činjenice da dela koja stvaraju poseduju moć da promene percepciju miliona ljudi, njihov glas ostaje nem u moru beznačajnih trivijalnosti i informacija medijskog društva u kome živimo. Ono što mladim umetnicima treba je mogućnost da nesmetano stvaraju i da znaju da postoji neko ko ih sluša i ko prati njihov rad.

Generacija umetnika koji su predstavljeni ovom izložbom jasno pokazuje da mogu da se uhvate u koštac sa različitim aspektima naše stvarnosti i da daju svoj komentar. Nove tendencije, upotreba novih tehnologija i aktivan i kritički odnos naspram društva i nove realnosti vidljivi su u mnogim radovima. Čitava plejada mladih umetnika izašla iz novootvorenih umetničkih akademija veoma se uspešno i aktivno uključila u dešavanja na sceni. Ta nova energija i snaga pokazuje se kao neophodan faktor u revitalizuaciji scene koja u sve većoj meri postaje svesna neophodnosti promena, bržeg i značajnijeg povezivanja sa Evropom i svetom. U trenutku kada se umetnost guši pod teretom marketinških strategija i preterane komercijalizacije, ohrabruje to što se još uvek daje šansa mladim umetnicima i veruje novim idejama koje oni donose. Percepcija i artikulacija sveta oko nas u radovima mladih umetnika ukazuje na proces konstantnog preispitivanja pozicija umetnosti unutar društvenog sistema prepunog mana i nedoslednosti.

Delovanje Niš Art Fondacije je jedan od boljih primera ulaganja u budućnost i vere u mlade i talentovane umetnike. Otkupne nagrade koje ova fondacija dodeljuje pre svega su podstrek i ohrabrenje svima koji su na početku svoje profesionalne karijere. Kako tržište za dela savremene umetnosti skoro da i ne postoji, a pogotovu za stvaralaštvo mlađih umetnika, nagrada Niš art Fondacije predstavlja važan momenat u njihovom profesionalnom sarevanju. Sa već ozbiljim iskustvom i godinama rada ove izložbe mogu da postanu neko novo bijenale mladih, inkubator novih ideja i stremljenja, stožerna tačka oko koje će se okupiti nova generacija umetnika.

Saša Janjić

3

What can you do in Serbia when you are a young artist?

As a young artist, there is not much you can do in Serbia. You can work hard and hope that one day you will be noticed by a curator, one among the few renowned gallerists, or even rarer rich collectors. On the other hand, you may try your luck somewhere far away in the big world, and try to invest your talent and knowledge in the best possible way.

The unwritten rule says that the young are always expected to accomplish more than what the elderly didn’t do or what they did wrong. Having in mind the overall situation and circumstances in which we live, we can conclude that no matter what the young do, they are doing fine, because being a young artists in Serbia is a success by itself. The youngest generation of artists is as a rule left on its own. After school and Art Academy, artists become a part of a completely disorganized system governed by no rules, where only the most persistent ones survive. And, while big exhibitions were organized before, aiming to present the most recent works of young artists, today we barely have a few initiatives which focus on the work of local young artists.

Somebody will perhaps rightly ask what the purpose of all this is: why insist on art when we are facing a lot of problems which, in their complex-ity and social relevance, go by far beyond all that art can offer? One answer might be simply because we have chosen to do so, because we know that art surpasses all banality, because it has the power to generate ideas that change things at their core. It is art that criticizes, that uses its subtle mechanisms to help us run away from the harsh reality for at least a short while, or to help us face it bravely.

The competition, the prize and the activities of Nis Art Foundation are those rare initiatives which draw public attention to the work of young artists in Serbia. In spite of the unquestionable quality of national artists who should most certainly be guided by professionals, when we talk about the scene and the attitude of the society towards it, we can openly say that we haven’t succeeded in turning art into an interesting and profitable activity. Art and artists are still on the fringes of social events because they are too normal and uninteresting a part of the population in the midst of the overall decline in standards, the collapse in moral values and the overwhelming effect of yellow press on the entire society. Despite the fact that they create works with the power to change the perception of millions of people, their voice remains unheard in the vast sea of trivialities and information of the media society in which we live. What young artists need is the possibility to freely create and to have their voice heard by those who want to listen and follow their work.

The generation of artists presented in this exhibition clearly shows that they can tackle different aspects of our reality and give their comment on it. New tendencies, the use of new technologies, an active and critical attitude towards society, and new realities can be seen in many works. An entire range of young artists coming from the newly established art academies has very successfully and actively joined the activities in the scene. This fresh energy and strength is proving to be a necessary factor for the revival of the scene which is becoming more and more aware of the need for change, for faster and more significant connections with Europe and the world. At the moment in which art is struggling under the burden of marketing strategies and exaggerated commercialization, it is encouraging to know that there is still someone to give young artists a chance and to believe in the new ideas they bring. The percep-tion and articulation of the world around us in the works of artists points at the process of constant questioning of the art’s position within a social system which is so flawed and inconsequential. .

The work of Nis Art Foundation is one of the better examples of investment in the future and faith in young and talented artists. Sponsored awards offered by the Foundation are above all a stimulus and encouragement to all at the start of their career. As there is practically no market for works of modern art, and especially for those of young artists, the prize of Nis Art Foundation represents an important moment in their professional growth. Already boasting a great experience, made possible through years of work, this exhibition has become a new biennial of the young, an incubator of new ideas and strivings, a central point around which a new generation of artists will gather.

Saša Janjić

4

Lazar Balšić“Ljudske intervencije u pejzažu (dva znaka)” – kombinovana tehnika -

kaširani karton, akril, drvo, metal na lesonitu – 200x200cm “Human intervention in the landscape (two characters)” – combined technique -

laminated cardboard, acrylic, wood, metal on hardboard – 200x200cm

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Jelena Božović Đorđević“Atelje – Mića Popović” – gips, drvo, metal – 400x250x220cm

“Atelier – Mića Popović “ - plaster, wood, metal - 400x250x220cm

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Jovana Budošan“Izobilje”– crtež na istrošenom papiru – kombinovana tehnika – 46x45cm“Abundance” - drawing on used paper - combined technique – 46x45cm

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Aleksandar Bunčić“Success ”– kombinovana tehnika – 80x100cm “Success ”– combined technique – 80x100cm

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Tijana Čakić“Nemoć” – akril na platnu – 190x190cm

“Incapacity” – acrylic on canvas – 190x190cm

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Anđela Đermanović“Trijumf”– ulje na platnu – 100x190cm

“Triumph”– oil on canvas – 100x190cm

10

Slaviša Đokić“Anksioznost”– kafa na kartonu – 125x62cm“Anxiety “ - coffee on cardboard – 125x62cm

11

Maja Đorđević“Paint – devojčica na kiši”– ulje na platnu – 300x120cm “Paint – a girl in the rain”– oil on canvas – 300x120cm

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Predrag Đukić“Boris”– tuš na papiru – 100x70cm“Boris” - ink on paper – 100x70cm

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Gojko Dutina“Špica za laku noć deco”– kombinovana tehnika– olovka,drvene bojice, tuš na pergament papiru - 47x36cm

“ Bedtime cartoon opening credits” - combined technique – pencil, colored pencils, ink on parchment paper - 47x36cm

“Ova noć već dugo traje”– kombinovana tehnika – olovka,drvene bojice, tuš na pergament papiru - 53x38cm“ This has been a long night” - combined technique – pencil, colored pencils, ink on parchment paper - 53x38cm

“Jutarnji osmeh kasirke kaže biće sunčan dan”– kombinovana tehnika – olovka,drvene bojice, tuš na pergament papiru - 53x38cm“The cashier’s morning smile says it’ll be sunny today” - combined technique – pencil, colored pencils, ink on parchment paper - 53x38cm

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Mišo FilipovacIz ciklusa “Skupovi d2”– kombinovana tehnika– 100x70cm

From the cycle “Sets d2“ - combined technique – 100x70cm

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Nenad Gajić“Veliki čovek” – silikon, ljudska dlaka, plastika, drvo, mermer, tkanina, metal – 29x7.5cm

“ The big man “ - silicone, human hair, plastic, wood, marble, fabric, metal - 29x7.5cm

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Milica Jovanović“Niflhejm” – ulje I vosak na platnu - 66x100cm

“ Niflheim “ - oil and wax on canvas - 66x100cm

17

Ivan Kocić“Pink lips”– kombinovana tehnika – 100x100cm “Pink lips”– combined technique – 100x100cm

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Tijana Kojić“Automahija”– ulje na aluminijumu – 200x400cm

“Automachia”– oil on aluminum– 200x400cm

19

Aleksandra Kovačević“Birds” – akril na platnu – 120x300cm

“Birds” – acrylic on canvas – 120x300cm

20

Damjan Kovačević“Jagoš”– sito boja na platnu – 250x170cm

“Jagoš”– sieve paint on canvas – 250x170cm

21

Irena Kuzmanović“Prolaznost”– akvarel na papiru – 650x100cm

“ Transience” - aquarelle on paper – 650x100cm

22

Marija Lepojević“Danas u podne”– kombinovana tehnika - akril, ulje, voštana pasta na platnu – 150x150cm

“Today at noon”– combined technique - acrylic, oil, waxy paste on canvas – 150x150cm

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Đođe Luković“Prava ljubav”– ulje na platnu – 160x120cm

“True love”– oil on canvas – 160x120cm

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Dragiša Marinković“Nestajanje ”– kombinovana tehnika – 150x200cm

“Fading” - combined technique – 150x200cm

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Jelena Marjanović“Travel sick 1” – akril na platnu – 150x100cm

“Travel sick 1” – acrylic on canvas – 150x100cm

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Ivan Milenković“Narodni muzej”– ulje na platnu – 100x150cm

“The National Museum”– oil on canvas – 100x150cm

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Ivana Milev“Rastezanje” – kombinovana tehnika – žica, plastika - 250x700x5cm

“Extension” - combined technique - wire, plastic - 250x700x5cm

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MMC LED ART “Zlo ne spava br. 8 (Vi vidite ZLO? U zdravlje, živeli!)”– kombinovana tehnika – 100x80cm

“ Evil never sleeps no. 8 (You see EVIL? Cheers, cheers!) “ - combined technique – 100x80cm

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Petar Mošić “Pred veliki prasak”– ulje na platnu – 100x80cm “Before the Big Bang” – oil on canvas 100x80cm

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Rade Mutapović“Trenutak odluke” – gips – 50x50x180cm

“The moment of decision” – plaster – 50x50x180cm

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Katarina Nedeljković“Communication”– diptih - kombinovana tehnika – 150x160cm

“Communication” - diptych - combined technique - 150x160cm

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Mia Nikolić“Glad” – kombinovana tehnika – drvo, mebl – 165x85x28cm

“Hunger” – combined technique - wood, upholstery – 165x85x28cm

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Milica Petrović“Bubavučić” – kombinovana tehnika na papiru – 25x34cm“Bubavučić” – combined technique on paper – 25x34cm

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Kristina Pirković“Lutkarsko pozorište”– tuš na papiru – 65x135cm

“Puppet Theatre” - ink on paper – 65x135cm

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Jovana Pivić“Dete iz komšiluka traži od mame dam u kupi šećerleme”– ulje na platnu – 150x100cm

“A child from the neighborhood asks mum for a candy”– oil on canvas – 150x100cm

36

Mlađana Popović“Mehurići”– akril, ugalj, olovka na platnu – 100x140cm

“Bubbles”– acrylic, charcoal, pencil on canvas – 100x140cm

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Mersiha Prušević Dulić“Kapi”– akrilik na platnu – 120x120cm

“Drops” - acrylic on canvas - 120x120cm

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Tina Radulović“Oni”– ulje na platnu – 70x90cm

“They”– oil on canvas – 70x90cm

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Mina Rakidžić“Prokop ”– ugljen na papiru– 70x100cm“Ditch” - charcoal on paper – 70x100cm

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Goran Rister“U betonskim okovima III”– ulje na platnu – 160x200cm

“In concrete fittings III‘ – oil on canvas – 160x200cm

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Tara Rodić“Sisyphus blesses me” – akril i uljani markeri na platnu – 140x170cm

“Sisyphus blesses me” – acrylic and oil markers on canvas – 140x170cm

42

Jelena Savić“Bez naziva” – akvatinta, rezervaž – 2x44x58cm

“No name” – aquatint, rezervaž – 2x44x58cm

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Vladimir Sekulić“Beograd, 11.12. 2011. Knez Mihailova br. 28, oko 4 h”– drvene bojice na papiru – 123x130cm

“Belgrade, 11.12. 2011. Knez Mihailova 28, about 4 a.m.” - colored pencils on paper – 123x130cm

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Marija Šević“Sam sa umetničkim tržištem” – ulje na platnu - 120x180cm

“Alone with the art market” - oil on canvas - 120x180cm

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Nađa Stamenović“Bez naziva” –– kombinovana tehnika - 88x30cm

“No name” – combined technique – 88x30cm

46

Milena Stanisavljević“Brain Turbulence” – medijapan, akrilik, uljani markeri – 60x150x130cm

“Brain Turbulence “ - MDF, acrylic, oil markers - 60x150x130cm

Mladen Stojanović“Žikica Pepin”– ulje na platnu – 200x125cm “Žikica Pepin”– oil on canvas – 200x125cm

47

Mladen Stojanović“Žikica Pepin”– ulje na platnu – 200x125cm “Žikica Pepin”– oil on canvas – 200x125cm

48

Ivan Šuletić“Cityscape II”– ulje na platnu – 200x180cm “Cityscape II”– oil on canvas – 200x180cm

49

Ivan Tocić“Facebook, Friends, connections”– kombinovana tehnika - akril, ulje na platnu – 240x150cm “Facebook, Friends, connections”– combined technique - acrylic,oil on canvas – 240x150cm

50

Jelena Trajković“Pobeda” – kombinovana tehnika – digitalna grafika, graviranje i led diode – 100x95cm

“Victory” – combined technique - digital graphics, engraving and LEDs – 100x95cm

Jovana Tucović“Buđenje iz sebe” – kovani i zavareni metal – 174x76x66cm

“Awakening from the self” – forged and welded metal – 174x76x66cm

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Jovana Tucović“Buđenje iz sebe” – kovani i zavareni metal – 174x76x66cm

“Awakening from the self” – forged and welded metal – 174x76x66cm

52

Milan Velinović“Plava ptica”– ulje na platnu – 110x110cm

“Bluebird”– oil on canvas – 110x110cm

53

Stefania Veljković“Verižnjača” – tapiserija, tkanje, ljudska kosa – 68x48x16cm

“Chain mail” – tapestry, weaving, human hair – 68x48x16cm

54

Jelena Vićentić“Mind” – akril na platnu – 100x70cm

“Mind” – acrylic on canvas – 100x70cm

55

Jelena Vitorović“Fall of the Moon” – akril na platnu – 170x200cm

“Fall of the Moon” – acrylic on canvas – 170x200cm

56

Sofija Vojinović“Four squares in the sun II”– ulje na platnu – 110x100cm “Four squares in the sun II”– oil on canvas – 110x100cm

57

Vuk Vučković“Avion”– ulje na platnu – 215x150cm

“Airplane”– oil on canvas – 215x150cm

58

Milan Vukašinović“Brodvej”– ulje na platnu – 220x150cm

“Broadway”– oil on canvas – 220x150cm

59

Nevena Vuksanović“Buva” – metal, sunđer, koža, skaj, vuna, papir – 150x200cm

“Flea” - metal, sponge, leather, vinyl, wool, paper - 150x200cm

60

Jovana Živčić“Ženska ramena ”– kombinovana tehnika– 70x100cm

“ Female shoulders” - combined technique – 70x100cm

61

Dejan Živković“Indoktrinacija nevernog Tome”– ulje na platnu – 97x130cm

“Indoctrination of doubting Thomas”– oil on canvas – 97x130cm

62

KAKO SAČUVATI MLADOST

Srbiju je napustilo previše mladih i talentovanih ljudi. Otišli su zato što u svojoj zemlji nisu mogli da dobiju šansu. U Njujorku sam vidjao mnogo takvih, radili su marginalne poslove da bi preživeli, a za to vreme njihovi životi, ambicije i talenti su kopnili. To bi moralo da se promeni. Mladi umetnici trebalo bi da se usavršavaju, grade karijeru i prodaju slike svuda po svetu, ali da ostanu da žive u Srbiji, umeo je da kaže Radovan Lale Djurić, idejni tvorac i osnivač Niš Art Foundation, koja je proteklih godina pomerala kulturne granice, a pri tom postala sinonim za njega samog.

Djurić je, svakako, dobro znao o čemu govori. Bio je glasovit slikar, skulptor, dizajner, mecena i kulturni entuzijasta, koji je život vezao i za Srbiju i za svet. Još krajem 70.tih neki domaći mediji proglašavali su ga jednim od najskupljih jugoslovenskih slikara u inostranstvu. Destinacije njegovih umetničkih dela, izložbi ili ateljea bile su u Evropi, Americi i Australiji. Rodjen je u okolini Niša, a radio je u Beogradu, Veneciji, Amsterdamu i Parizu. Od 1973. godine uspešno je živeo i slikao u Njujorku, da bi se od 2003. sve češće i duže vraćao Srbiji. Preminuo je u Njujorku prošlog aprila, pred 69. rodjendan, a po sopstvenoj želji sahranjen je u Beogradu.

Njegov dom u Velikoj jabuci bio je obavezna stanica za brojne prijatelje i putnike sa ex Yu prostora. U njihovom sećanju on će i dalje biti “kosmopolitski lokalpatriota”. Svetski, a naš i svoj. Iskusan, mudar i pragmatičan, a intenzivan i impulsivan. Čovek od akcije, a sa vizijom. Ličnost ogromne zemaljske energije koju nije bilo lako slediti. Hedonista. Otvoren, neposredan i nekonvencionalan. Silovit, oštar, neprijatan ili čak zastrašujuć. Emotivan, topao i empatičan. Stidljiv i mek kao pamuk. Umetnik druženja, kako ga je definisao jedan od prijatelja.

Mada je Laletov profesionalni i lični bekgraund prilično raskošan, on sam je posebnim uspehom smatrao osnivanje NAF-a i Nacionalnog konkursa “Mladost”, koji se organizuje od 2006. godine. “Mladost” su pratile prodajne izložbe najboljih radova u Nišu, Beogradu i Novom Sadu, a zatim i dalja podrška mladim i talentovanim umetnicima na međunarodnom planu. Svake godine konkuriše veliki broj umetnika do 35. godine starosti, sa više od 1.500 radova. Nagradni fond po konkursu iznosio je 18.000 evra i bio izdašniji od, recimo, fonda za Pulicerovu nagradu. Prema ocenama stručnjaka, “Mladost” se zbog ovakvih referenci ubraja u jedan od najvećih umetničkih konkursa u Evropi.

Trudimo se da mlade likovne umetnike kroz konkurs, nagrade, prodajne izložbe, kataloge koji završavaju u svetu ili važne kontakte, motivišemo da rade što bolje i žive od svoje umetnosti. Oni to moraju da nauče i tržište mora da ih prihvati. Ovo što na taj način radimo je početak stvaranja nove generacije slikara u Srbiji koja je počela da razmišlja drugačije, slika slobodnije i uči da živi od slikarstva..., objašnjavao je Djurić.

Pored ozbiljne podrške mladim umetnicima, NAF je u prioritete upisao i podsticaj opšteg kulturnog razvoja u zemlji. U skladu sa tim organizovao je izložbu „Leonardovi kodeksi i mašine“, koja je održana 2008. u Nišu i Beogradu. Na izložbi, inače retkoj i u razvijenim zemljama, moglo se videti 65 eksponata napravljenih po originalnim nacrtima Leonarda da Vinčija. Modeli, pristigli direktno iz muzeja u Firenci, predstavljali su autorove vizionarske zamisli robota, letilica, podmornica ili automobila. Za ukupno 90 dana, postavku je videlo više od 100.000 ljudi, 30.000 u Nišu i 70.000 u Beogradu.

Fondacija stoji i iza Nacionalnog konkursa za dizajn nameštaja, na koji je pristiglo stotinak radova mladih dizajnera i čiji je nagradni fond iznosio je 20.000 evra. Bila je organizator Nacionalnog konkursa za pozorišnu jednočinku. Pomogla je realizaciju mjuzikla „Kosa“ u beogradskom “Ateljeu 212” za koji je obezbedila autorska prava. Pripredila je više vrednih izložbi slika, medju kojima i izložbu Paje Jovanovića “Izmedju estetike i života”. U prostoru niške Univerzitetske biblioteke „Nikola Tesla“ tri godine zaredom organizovala je Likovne kolonije. Realizovala je nekoliko kulturno- humanitarnih projekata, medju kojima i “Humanost u boji”, u okviru kojeg su mladi umetnici svojim radovima oplemenili nišku Kliniku za maksilofacijalnu hirurgiju. Renovirala je, adaptirala ili opremila pet galerija u Nišu, Beogradu i Novom Sadu…

Priredila je takodje izložbe slika Olje Ivanjicki u Nišu i Beogradu. Nakon smrti ove osobene likovne umetnice, u Beogradu je organizovala postavku “Mladi Olji”, na kojoj su radove predstavili najuspešniji učesnici konkursa “Mladost”. Ivanjicki je, inače, bila članica žirija za dodelu nagrada na tom konkursu i jedan od osnivača Fondacije. Medju osnivačima se nalazio i Jovan Ćirilov, teatrolog, dramaturg i značajni kulturni delatnik sa ovih prostora, koji je preminuo prošle godine. Oboje su od samog početka bili posvećenici Fondacije, njene misije i podstreka mladim talentima.

Većinu projekata NAF-a finansijski je podržavala kompanija Filip Moris. Činila je to od samog početka, još od decembra 2003. godine, kada je NAF, kao još uvek neformalna organizacija, realizovao prvu akciju- montažno klizalište na centralnom niškom trgu, koje je obradovalo hiljade mališana. Učinila je to i nedavno, kada je odlučila da obezbedi budžet za ovogodišnji Nacionalni konkurs “Mladost”, deveti po redu.

Takva odluka Djurićevih saradnika iz Filip Morisa, nakon što su je inicirali njegovi saradnici iz Fondacije, nesumnjivo je dobra. Ona nije samo najpristojnije zajedničko sećanje na prijatelja koji je mnogo toga pokrenuo, a onda otišao, već i pametno ulaganje u umetnost, brend i dobru ideju. Takodje je vrlo jasna poruka mladim umetnicima da u Srbiji, ipak, postoji spremnost da se stane iza njih i njihovog talenta.

Možda je zaista moguće, ako se takva i slična poruka dovoljno često ponovi, da oni požele da izbliza probaju taj veliki svet, a ipak ostanu ovde? Zorica MILADINOVIĆ

63

HOW TO PRESERVE YOUTH

Too many young and talented people have left Serbia. They have left because they haven’t been given a chance. I have seen many of them in New York; they had marginal jobs to survive, during which time their lives, ambitions and talents waned. This must change. Young artists should improve their skills, build their carriers and sell paintings all over the world, but at the same time stay in Serbia – this was often heard from Radovan Lale Djurić, the creator and founder of Nis Art Foundation, which has been moving cultural boundaries for years, and, by doing so, has become a synonym for him.

Djurić certainly knew what he was talking about. He was a renowned painter, sculptor, designer, benefactor and cultural enthusiast, who attached his life to both Serbia and the world. Already in the late 1970s local media proclaimed him one of the most expensive Yugoslav painters in the world. Locations of his works of art, exhibitions or ateliers were in Europe, America and Australia. He was born in the vicinity of Nis, and he worked in Belgrade, Venice, Amsterdam and Paris. Since 1973, he had successfully lived and painted in New York, until his more frequent and longer visits to Serbia began since 2003. He died in New York last April, just before his 69th birthday, and, at his own wish, he was buried in Belgrade.

His home in the Big Apple was a frequent destination of numerous friends and travelers from the ex-Yu countries. He will be preserved in their memories as a ‘cosmopolitan patriot’. He was in the world, but he belonged to Serbia and to himself. Experienced, wise and pragmatic, and at the same time, intense and impulsive. A man of action, and with a vision. A persona of vast earthly energy hard to follow. A hedonist. Emotional, warm and empathetic. Shy and soft as wool. An artist of friendship, as a friend described him.

Although Lale’s professional and personal background was quite lavish, he regarded the establishment of Nis Art Foundation’s “Youth” competition, organized since 2006, as his particular success.”Youth” has been followed by selling exhibitions of the finest works in Nis, Belgrade and Novi Sad, and also by further support to young and talented artists internationally. Every year, a great number of people older than 35 take part in the competition with more than 1,500 works of art. The prize fund per competition has been 18,000 EUR and it is more generous than, say, the Pulitzer Prize. In the opinion of professionals, due to such references “Youth” is one of the largest art competitions in Europe.

Through competitions, prizes, selling exhibitions, catalogues that reach the world or important contacts, we give out best to motivate the young to work harder and live on their art. They must learn that and the market must accept them. What we have accomplished by doing so is the beginning of a new generation in Serbia which is starting to think differently, paint more freely and learn how to live on art…, explained Djurić.

Besides serious support to young artists, NAF has included into its priorities the encouragement of general cultural development in the country. In accordance with this policy, it organized the exhibition “Da Vinci’s codes and machines”, in 2008, in Nis and Belgrade. At the exhibition, of a very rare kind even in developed countries, 65 works of art could be seen, based on the original drawings of Leonardo Da Vinci. Having arrived directly from Venice, the models represented the author’s visions of robots, flying crafts, submarines and automobiles. In 90 days, the exhibition was visited by more than 100,000 people, 30,000 in Nis and 70,000 in Belgrade.

The Foundation also organized the National Competition in Furniture Design, which gathered around one hundred works of young designers, and which had a prize fund of 20,000 EUR. The Founda-tion was also the organizer of the National Competition Contest for a One-Act play. It helped the organization of the musical “Hair” in “Atelier 212” in Belgrade, for which it provided copyright. It organized a lot of painting exhibitions, among which the exhibition of Paja Jovanovic “Between Aesthetics and Life”. For three years in a row it organized Art colonies in the University library “Nikola Tesla” in Nis. It implemented a couple of cultural and humanitarian projects, such as “Humanity in Color” in which young artists provided their works to enrich the Clinic for Maxillofacial Surgery in the city of Nis. The Foundation renovated, adapted and equipped 5 galleries in Nis, Belgrade and Novi Sad.

It also prepared the exhibition of Olja Ivanjicki’s paintings in Nis and Belgrade. After the death of this very distinguished artist, it organized the exhibition “The Young to Olja”, in which the most suc-cessful artists of the “Youth” competition presented their works. Ivanjicki was a member of the jury for awarding the prizes and one of the founders of the Foundation. Another of the founders was Jovan Ćirilov, a theatrology expert, playwright and important cultural activist in the region, who died last year. Both of them were dedicated to the Foundation, its mission, and support to young artists from the beginning.

Most of the projects of NAF have been financially supported by the company Philip Morris. It has been a supporter of the Foundation since December 2003, when NAF, an unofficial organization at the time, conducted its first activity – putting up a portable skating rink at the central square in Nis, to the joy of thousands of children. Philip Morris has recently provided support again, when it decided to secure the budget for this year’s National “Youth” Competition, 9th in a row.

Such a decision of Djurić’s collaborators from Philip Morris, made upon the initiative of his co-workers in the Foundation, is certainly good. It is not just the most polite shared memory of the friend who started so much, and left too soon, but a clever investment in art, in the brand and in a good idea. Additionally, it is a very clear message to young artists in Serbia that there is still willingness to stand by them and their talent.

If such a message, or a similar one, are repeated often enough, perhaps it is indeed possible for them to go out and taste the world at close range, but still remain here to live?Zorica MILADINOVIĆ

2015