branko dimitrijevic - folklore, modernity and death

7/23/2019 Branko Dimitrijevic - Folklore, Modernity and Death

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Branislav Dimitrijević

FOLKLORE, MODERNITY AND DEATH – ANDRZE !ROBLE!"KI#"$I"IT TO Y%&O"LA$IA

An'r(ej !r)*le+si#s visit t) Y-.)slavia /r)m O0t)*er 12 t)N)vem*er 34 4567 8as a 9arti0-lar +ei.8t an' meanin. in t8e li.8t)/ 8is s-''en 'eat8 )nl: /)-r m)nt8s a/ter 8is ret-rn t) ;)lan'< It is9rimaril: *e0a-se man: )/ 8is +)rs 9ainte' a/ter t8is visit in late4567 an' earl: 456=, 'is9la: a striin. anti0i9ati)n, )r rat8er a/ri.8tenin. int-iti)n in t8eir /)0-s )n t8e m)tives )/ t)m*st)nes an'/-nerals, as a'j)inin. )t8er +)rs )/ t8at 9eri)' 0)nver.in. )n t8em)tives )/ t8e 9etri/a0ti)n )r t8e rei>0ati)n )/ a 8-man *)':< T8eaim )/ t8is essa: is t) esta*lis8 9)ssi*le lins *et+een 8is

Y-.)slavian e?9erien0e an' t8ese +)rs, i<e< t) 0)nsi'er in@-en0es)/ +8at 0)-l' *e 'is0erne' /r)m +8at 8e sa+ an' en0)-ntere''-rin. 8is tri9< H)+ever, t8is /)0-s )n 8is 9ers)nal an' artisti0'is0)veries +ill *e traverse' *: t8e 8ist)ri0al an' 9)liti0al 0)nte?t )/ 8is visit, its instit-ti)nal /rame+)r in relati)n t) 0-lt-ral 9)li0ies in Y-.)slavia an' ;)lan' in t8e 9eri)' )/ t8e t8a+< Y-.)slavia an';)lan' 8ave *een sin.le' )-t as t+) s)0ialist 0)-ntries +8i08 m)stt8)r)-.8l: 'eC"talini(e' t8eir 0-lt-ral m)'els '-rin. t8e 4562s an')9ene' t)+ar's m)'ern artisti0 lan.-a.e line' t) t8e 9)stC+ar'esirin. /)r artisti0 /ree')ms alle.e'l: )-tsi'e )/ i'e)l).i0al

0)n>nements 0)nstr-0te' *: t8e ').ma )/ s)0ialist realism<

As s08)lars +8) +r)te a*)-t !r)*le+si 8ave s8)+n, 8is 9)siti)n+as -ite -ni-e +it8in t8is i'e)l).i0al 9)larisati)n an' mars a0)n'iti)n )/ a rat8er l)nes)me sense )/ 0)9in. +it8 t8e relati)ns*et+een 9)liti0als)0ial r)le )/ artisti0 9ra0ti0e an' in'ivi'-al,i'i)s:n0rati0 artisti0 *e0)min.< As )99)se' t) t+) ')minant 9at8staen *: ;)lis8 art – 0)l)-rism +8i08 esta*lis8e' a 0)ntin-it:*et+een t8e 9reC+ar in@-en0e )/ (e/ ;anie+i0( +it8 maj)r >.-reslie an G:*is, an' m)'ernism -n'er t8e in@-en0e )/ ;arisian

tachisme an' informel e?em9li>e' *: Ta'e-s( Kant)r an' &r-9aKra)+sa – !r)*le+si ma: *e seen as an )-tsi'er, as a 0-ri)-s0ase )/ t8e artist re/-sin. t) /-ll: a'a9t t) ')minant tren's an're/-sin. t) /-ll: a*an')n relati)ns t) 8is )+n -n'erstan'in. )/s)0ialist realism an' t8e nee' t) see art as en.a.e' an' sit-ate'an' n)t as 'e0)rati)nal neit8er sim9l: n)vel n)r e?9erimental< In8er e?0ellent 0)m9arative anal:sis )/ t8e r)les )/ G:*is, Kant)r an'!r)*le+si, Anna Mar)+sa sees !r)*le+si as a s:m*)li0al)-t0ast in 8is 0a-ti)-s resistan0e t) 8ast: 9r)mises )/ ne+l:a0-ire' freedom in ;)lis8 9)liti0al an' 0-lt-ral s98ere< !r)*le+si

+as ver: s-s9i0i)-s a*)-t t8is 9r)0ess +8i08 meant /)r 8im a ret-rn)/ a 9ainter t) a sal)n, an' 8en0e 8e 8a' t) 0)ntent 8imsel/ +it8



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s)met8in. /ra.ile an' ris: 8is )+n a*ilit: t) tr-st 8is meas-reless/ree')m an' )ver+8elmin. miser:<4

!r)*le+si#s +)r +as never )n0e s)0ialistCrealist an' all )/ t8es-''en m)'ernist 8e 0ann)t *e taen as in instr-ment t) s8)+

8)+ E-r)9ean an' /ree ;)lis8 art s-''enl: *e0ame, 8is art t))its 9at8 a.ainst t8e .rain, es9e0iall: a.ainst t8e 0)nse-en0es )/t8e i'e)l).: )/ n)rmali(ati)n an' e0)n)mi0 li*erali(ati)n<3 AsMar)+sa 9)inte' )-t, instea' )/ a 08atterin. s9ee08 )/ t8e sal)nt8a+Cm)'ernist, !r)*le+si )ere' an -n0ann: silen0e, instea')/ 0)lle0tive j): a*)-t 9r)mises )/ /ree')m 8e )ere' an in'ivi'-alsel/Cir)n:, an' >nall: instea' )/ )9tin. t) visit ;aris lie m)st )/ t8elea'in. m)'ern artists n)t )nl: in ;)lan' *-t else+8ere in E-r)9e,8e +ent t) Bel.ra'e<1Polish thaw and Yugoslav politicalmanoeuvrings

Availa*le ar08ival material a*)-t t8is visit is s0ar0e *-t it seems t8att8e Y-.)slavC;)lis8 0)lla*)rati)n +as initiate' /r)m t8e ;)lis8 si'e< It/)-n' its 0)n>rmati)n in t8e ')0-ment si.ne' *: $C0e &eneral"e0retar: Mr !< G8a*asiJi mare' +it8 a la*el )/ se0ret,'e'i0ate' t) t8e Ministr: )/ F)rei.n Aairs, it is state' a 9r).ramme)/ 0-lt-ral e?08an.e *et+een ;)lan' an' Y-.)slavia /)r t8e45664567, a00e9te' *: t8e Ministr: )/ G-lt-re< It ass-me' am-t-al e?08an.e )/ 9e)9le an' events< In t8e >el' )/ arts an'0-lt-re it 9)inte' an e?8i*iti)n )/ +)rs *: Alesan'er K)*('ej an' Ta'e-s( K-lisie+i0(, a +ee )/ 9resentati)n )/ ;)lis8 >lms, travel )/3C1 +riters, an' 9r)m)ti)n )/ )r.anisin. a s9e0ta0le )/ ;)lis8 *allet)r )9era< Am)n.st t8e events 9lanne' in ;)lan' t8ere +as a s8)+ )/ 0)ntem9)rar: :-.)slavian art in0l-'in. a visit )/ 3C1 artists< At t8een' )/ t8e 3C9a.es ')0-ment, it is state' t8at menti)ne' events0)-l' *e taen as a startin. 9)int /)r /-rt8er ne.)tiati)ns +it8

1 Anna Markowska, The Great Now or, on Art

2 Wroblewski#s statement entitled Confessions of a discredited ‘ former

communist # written towards the end of his life exposes his particular political position

and a sense of disappointment with what he perceived as simplified critical

assessments of Stalinism !owever, Wroblewski is principall" on the side of

reformists and he is aware of a somewhat contradictor" position he is takin# and

which he tries to resolve b" writin# this statement

$



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Y-.)slavian si'e< , *-t t8at t8ese 08an.es +ere seen as a m)st+el0)me 'evel)9ment /)r t8e Y-.)slav si'e< Als), it is a99arent t8att8e ;)lis8 Ministr: )/ G-lt-re an' its entr-ste' instit-ti)ns sele0te'!r)*le+si /)r t8is visit, t).et8er +it8 t8e :)-n. art 0riti0 Bar*araMaje+sa +8) a00)m9anie' 8im< As an artist !r)*le+si +as

entirel: -nn)+n in Y-.)slavia at t8e time, an' t8e r)le in +8i08 8e-n'ert)) t8is j)-rne: +as 9rimaril: )/ s)me)ne me'iatin. a9re9arati)n t) e?08an.e e?8i*iti)ns )/ 0)ntem9)rar: art *et+een;)lan' an' Y-.)slavia< T8e visit +as )r.ani(e' *: t8e Y-.)slavG)mmissi)n /)r Internati)nal G-lt-ral Relati)ns, le' *: Mar) Ristić,a s-rrealist 9)et an' a 9reC+ar 0)mm-nist +it8 esta*lis8e' lins+it8 An're Bret)n an' Fren08 intelle0t-al an' artisti0 0ir0les an' )ne)/ t8e lea'in. >.-res )/ 'eC"talinisati)n )/ Y-.)slav 0-lt-ral 9)li0:in t8e 4562s<6 In t8e ')0-ments in a /)rm )/ t8e re9)rt t8at'es0ri*es t8e artisti0 li/e in Y-.)slavia, Risti0 is 'es0ri*e' as 9isar(

I seretar( .eneraln:< Ristić re9re(ent-je ier-nem)'ernist:0(n: i jest -+aPan: – + t:m r+nieP 9r(e( -.)sQa+ian –(a 0(Q)+iea )''ane.) Za08)')+i< ! s(ere.- +:9a'+ )n samini0j-je nietre im9re(: art:st:0(ne s9r)+a'(aj0 (nan:08 l-*(a9r(:jaSni)n:08 ( nim art:st+<7 F)ll)+in. Tit)#s *rea +it8G)min/)rm in 45, Y-.)slav G)mm-nist ;art: .ra'-all: a*an')ne's)me 9)liti0al an' e0)n)mi0 9remises )/ ")vietCt:9e s)0ialism,+8i08 in internati)nal relati)ns im9lie' a stan'still in an: e?08an.e+it8 t8e 0)-ntries )/ t8e ")viet *l)0, an' t8e im9r)vement )/ t8erelati)ns +it8 t8e !estern 0)-ntries, 9rimaril: t8e %"< -st t)

ill-strate t8is, 9resi'ent Tit) 'i' n)t 8ave an: )U0ial 0)nta0ts +it8s)0ialist 0)-ntries in t8e 9eri)' *et+een 45 an' 4566, t8e :ear

% ;)'ajV (a D)-ment s:.n< !CI$-.)sQ344 D)t< +:mian: -lt-ralnej ( -.)sQa+i, te0(a nr 446, -.)sQa+ia W+s9Q9ra0a -lt-ralna< Ra9)rt,s9ra+)('ania I +:0ini 9ras)+e na'esQne 9r(e( am*asa'V ;RL + Bel.ra'(ieX4566–4567, ata K)mitet- !s9Q9ra0: K-lt-ralnej ( Za.rani0, Ar08i+-m AtN)+:08, !ars(a+a<

& Marko 'istić (1)*2+1)%- was a surrealist poet and a literar" critic !is first book

of poetr" (Of happiness an of dreams- was published in 1)2& .efore the war, he

became known as a harsh polemicist with stron# modernist aesthetical and leftist

political standpoints !e was the first ambassador of socialist /u#oslavia in 0aris

(1)%&+1)%- and after that the 0resident of the ederal ommision for 3nternational

ultural 'elations

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+8en K8r-s808ev 0ame t) Y-.)slavia t) si.n t8e Bel.ra'e'e0larati)n +8i08 mare' t8e 9)liti0al n)rmalisati)n *et+een t8et+) 0)-ntries<=

-'.in. /r)m t8e availa*le ')0-ments in t8e ar08ive )/ Ristić#s

G)mmissi)n, t8e visit )/ !r)*le+si an' Maje+sa +as )ne )/ t8e>rst instan0es t8at ill-strate t8is n)rmali(ati)n in t8e >el' )/ 0-lt-re<H)+ever, as )99)se' t) 'etaile' insi.8ts in t8e 9r)0esses )/ne.)tiati)ns a*)-t 0-lt-ral e?08an.e +it8 !estern 0)-ntries, itseems t8at relati)ns +it8 s)0ialist 0)-ntries +ere less a 9ri)rit: )/t8e Y-.)slav G)mmissi)n< F)r e?am9le, t8e im9r)vement )/ t8erelati)ns +it8 %"A 0)-l' *e 0)n>rme' *: t8e maj)r e?8i*iti)n )/M)'ern Art in t8e %nite' "tates in Bel.ra'e in t8e s-mmer )/4567, )r.ani(e' *: t8e Ne+ Y)r M-se-m )/ M)'ern Art an'-r.entl: 0))r'inate' *et+een t8e %" em*ass: in Bel.ra'e an' t8e

Y-.)slav G)mmissi)n /)r Internati)nal G-lt-ral Relati)ns< Al)n. +it8t8e e?8i*iti)ns )/ E0)le 'e ;aris W4563X, )/ D-t08 m)'ern art W4561Xas +ell as t8e ver: in@-ential s8)+ )/ Henr: M))re#s s0-l9t-resW4566X, t8is e?8i*iti)n intr)'-0e' Y-.)slav art s0ene +it8 +)rs *: a0s)n ;)ll)0, Mar R)t8), &)r:, Kline an' )t8er re9resentativeartists )/ mainl: a*stra0t e?9ressi)nism *-t als) in0l-'in. realistten'en0ies in Ameri0an art )/ t8e time< Henr: M))re s8)+ +as'es0ri*e' *: ;)lis8 0-lt-ral ':.nitars in /)ll)+in. t)ne Mim), iP

5 or a detailed stud" on /u#oslav forei#n polic" in this period see6 Tvrtko 7akovina,

Američ ki komunistič ki saveznik – Hrvati, Titova Jugoslavija i jedinjene američ ke

dr ž ave !"#$–!"$$, 8a#reb6 0rofil, 2**$

T8e e?8i*iti)n +as ina-.-rate' as t8e >rst Ameri0an m)'ern arte?8i*iti)n in Y-.)slavia, )r, /)r t8at matter, in an: 0)mm-nist#0)-ntr: -ntil t8en< Bel.ra'e +as t8-s 9-t )n t8e ma9# as )ne )/ t8el)0ati)ns )/ )ver 422 Internati)nal E?8i*iti)ns# t8at M)MA

)r.ani(e' *et+een 451 an' 4572, am)n. +8i08 – as it +ase?9li0itl: state' in t8e >rst M)MA 9ress release ann)-n0in. t8eBel.ra'e s8)+ W4 -neX – M)'ern Art in t8e %nite' "tates# +as t8elar.est e?8i*iti)n )/ Ameri0an art ever t) *e sent a*r)a'< F)r ast-': )/ t8e relati)n )/ t8is e?8i*iti)n t) 0-lt-ral 9)li0: an' artisti09ra0ti0e in Y-.)slavia )/ t8e late 4562s an' earl: 4572s seeBranislav Dimitrijević, Ir)n G-rtain Raisers – An e?8i*iti)n )/Ameri0an m)'ern art in Bel.ra'e an' its relati)n t) s)0ialistm)'ernism an' s)0ialist 0)ns-merism in t8e "FR Y-.)slavia in t8e4562s, - %ifferent &odernisms, %ifferent Avant'(ardes – )ro*lems in Central

and +astern +uropean Art after orld ar -- , Eesti K-nstim-se-m, Tallinn,3225, 99< 141C13<



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9ra0e Henre.) M))rea nie +(*-'(iQ: Pa'ne.) (ainteres)+ania+r' 9-*li0(n)0i, )'+r)tnie r:t:i *:Q: *ar'() s0e9t:0(ne,)'*:Qa )na il-miesiV0(ne t)-rnee 9) .Q+niejs(:08 miasta08 -.)sQa+ii, a sam M))re +:)r(:staQ s+j 9)*:t 9r(: 0(:nn:m9)9ar0i- Ristića na *e(0erem)nialne +:Qa': 'la lan's)+ania

a*stra0j)ni(m- +r' mQ)'e.) 9))lenia 9last:+ j-.)sQ)+iaJsi08<5 "-08 e?am9les n)t )nl: s8)+ 8)+ 9)liti0alman)e-vrin.s )/ Y-.)slav lea'ers8i9 in@-en0e' 0-lt-ral >el', *-tt8e: als) s8)+ an in8erite', *)-r.e)is, ten'en0: t)+ar's val-in.!estern art as a r)le m)'el /)r t8e 'evel)9ment )/ m)'ernisti'i)ms in Y-.)slav< In t8is res9e0t t8e sit-ati)n in ;)lan' an' Y-.)slavia +as -ite similar alt8)-.8 it seeme' at t8e time t8at t8is9r)0ess in Y-.)slavia 8a' *een alrea': a'van0e'< Es9e0iall: t8em)'el )/ ;arisian m)'ernism Was t8ere +ere s-s9i0i)ns t)+ar'sAmeri0an art t8at +ere n)t 9rimaril: i'e)l).i0al *-t 0-lt-ral in terms

)/ in8erite' *)-r.e)is e-r)C0entri0it:42X +as re0eive' ver:*enev)lentl:, as it re@e0te' a linea.e )/ art *e/)re !!II t8atee0tivel: s-rvive' t8e s)0ialist rev)l-ti)n an' +as maintaine' as')minant in a0a'emi0 instit-ti)ns< B-t in .eneral, t8e vi0t)r: )/m)'ernism )ver realism +as inter9rete' as an in'e? )/ t8em)'erni(ati)n )/ t8e +8)le s)0iet:<

It is n) +)n'er t8at ;)lan' +as t8e >rst eastern 0)-ntr: +it8+8i08 Y-.)slavia reCesta*lis8e' *r)en lins< First )/ all, ;)lan' 8a'*e/)re8an' 8a' a ver: /av)-ra*le ima.e am)n. t8e Y-.)slavs< It

+as 9art )/ t8e tra'iti)n .)in. *a0 t) t8e r)manti0ism )/ t8e 45t8

0ent-r: an' t8e i'eali(ati)n )/ ;anC"lavi0 0-lt-re +it8 a 9arti0-larem9at8: +it8 t8e 9li.8t )/ t8e ;)les t)+ar's t8eir in'e9en'en0ean' t8eir nati)nal 0-lt-ral i'entit:< T8is em9at8: +as em98asi(es *:t8e 8er)i0 ima.e )/ t8e ;)lis8 resistan0e t) Na(ism *-t als) t) a*etra:al )/ t8e ")viets '-rin. t8e !arsa+ -9risin.< Al)n. +it8 t8e Y-.)slavs, t8e ;)les +ere seen as t8e *i..est mart:rs )/ t8e !!II3,an' a sense )/ j)ine' i'entit: +as 0reate'< T8is sense +as /)rti>e'+8en &)m-la intr)'-0e' t8e re/)rms in O0t)*er 4567, /)ll)+in.t8e ;)(nan strie t8at s-mmer +8i08 attra0te' s:m9at8ies in

)

1* T8e 0-lt-ral elite sa+ Ameri0an 0-lt-re as s8all)+ an'entertainmentC*ase'< T8is rel-0tan0e +as n)t 0)mm-nist[ it +as,rat8er, in8erite' /r)m a *)-r.e)is le.a0: in +8i08 t8e n)ti)n )/0-lt-re is s)me8)+ i'enti>e' )nl: +it8 E-r)9e Wan', +8en it 0)mest) >ne arts, +it8 Fren08 0-lt-re s9e0i>0all:X, +8ereas Ameri0an0-lt-re +as seen as se0)n' rate< "ee -*id <



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Y-.)slavia *e0a-se it +as -se' as a 9r))/ t8at )nl: t8e Y-.)slavm)'el )/ +)rers# sel/Cmana.ement 0an *e a real an' via*les)0ialist alternative t) *-rea-0rati0 "talinism< In a l)n. re9)rt9-*lis8e' in O0t)*er 4567 )n t8e t+) lea'in. 9a.es )/ t8e m)stin@-ential 9)liti0al +eel: in Bel.ra'e NIN WNe'eljne In/)rmativne

N)vineX, t8e 0)rres9)n'ent /r)m ;)lan', $eli*)r ;)9)vić, 9raises&)m-la#s Res)l-ti)n an' 'es0ri*es it in a 'etaile' manner, 9)int *:9)int< T8e te?t reaUrms t8e 8er)ism )/ t8e ;)les '-rin. t8e +ar, t8eama(ement a*)-t t8e re0)nstr-0ti)n )/ !arsa+, an' t8e stren.t8 )/ ;)lis8 +)rers t) >.8t a.ainst t8e inj-sti0es )/ 9lanne' e0)n)m:+8ere t8e +)rer is )nl: an a00)m9lis8er )/ t8e *-rea-0rati0 9lanan' n)t a *earer )/ ri.8ts in t8e 'e0isi)n main. 9r)0ess< Als),;)lan' 8as *een sin.le' )-t as t8e 0)-ntr: 9assi)natel: intereste'in e?9erien0es, s-00esses an' im9e'iments )/ its s)0ialist/rien's<44

In 0-lt-ral s98ere t8is interest +as re0).ni(e' 9rimaril: as aninterest in t8e Y-.)slav 9)liti0al en')rsement )/ a 9r)0ess )/a')9tin. a 9revi)-sl: i'e)l).i0all: -na00e9ta*le n)ti)n )/a-t)n)m)-s artisti0 /ree')ms ass)0iate' +it8 m)'ernist vis-allan.-a.e< In a mem) +ritten a*)-t !r)*le+si#s visit it is state't8at t8is visit +as )r.ani(e' in )r'er t) mae a *etter a0-aintan0e)/ ;)lis8 art 0riti0s +it8 Y-.)slav 0)ntem9)rar: vis-al art, an' t8att+) ;)lis8 0riti0s W!r)*le+si an' Maje+saX res9)n'e' t) t8isinvitati)n<43 H)+ +ere t8e: sele0te' /)r t8is tri9 is n)t entirel:

0lear, *-t a99arentl: it +as a 'e0isi)n ma'e *: t8e ;)lis8 Ministr: )/ G-lt-re an' t8e 'ire0t)r )/ t8e Instit-te /)r Art an' E?8i*iti)ns in!arsa+, R:s(ar' "tanisla+si<In an)t8er ')0-ment K)mitet!s9Q9ra0: K-lt-ralnej ( Za.rani0 in/)rme' t8at a/ter ne.)tiati)ns/)ll)+in. 'e0isi)ns 8a' *een taen in t8e >el' )/ arts In t8ear08ive )/ t8e G)mmissi)n t8ere are n) /-rt8er 'etails a*)-t t8isvisit, an' t8e /)0-s is 9-t )n )r.ani(in. t8e e?8i*iti)n t8at )9ene'-n'er t8e title M)'erna 9)ljsa -metn)st WM)'ern ;)lis8 ArtX inBel.ra'e )n Mar08 33 456= Wan' rat8er 9)i.nantl: )nl: a 'a: *e/)re!r)*le+si#s s-''en 'eat8X, +8i08 a/ter+ar's travelle' t) Lj-*ljana,

Za.re* an' ")9je<

41

Interestin.l:, t8is s8)+ 'i' n)t in0l-'e an:+)r *: !r)*le+si, an' it seems t8at 8is +)rs +ere s8)+n later

11 $eli*)r ;)9)vić, ;)ljsi 8)ri()nti, N-N , 12, 3<42<4567, 99< 4C3<

12 I(l)\*a – M)'erna 9)ljsa -metn)st, Ar08ive )/ Y-.)slavia,Bel.ra'e WA, 665X



=

=

)nl: )n0e in Y-.)slavia, as 9art )/ t8e e?8i*iti)n Resistan0em)vement in t8e +)rs )/ ;)lis8 Artists in Bel.ra'e 457<4

T8e 9)liti0al m)ment t) )r.ani(e t8is visit +as i'eal< As is alrea':9)inte' )-t, t8e re9)rts )n t8e ;)lis8 t8a+ +ere si.ni>0antl:

9resent in t8e Y-.)slav 9ress< In t8eir )nl: intervie+ in Y-.)slavia,!r)*le+si an' Maje+sa a99eare' )n t8e 9a.es )/ t8e +eel: NIN,in t8e iss-e /)ll)+in. t8e )ne +it8 t8e *i. re9)rt )n &)m-la#sre/)rms< In t8is intervie+ W+it8 Mi)'ra. B-lat)vić +8) later *e0amea 9r)minent +riter46X, t8e em98asis is ma'e )n t8e *rea )/ ;)lis8art +it8 s)0ialist realism, an' t8e e?am9le )/ Y-.)slav art in >.8tin./)r artisti0 /ree')ms +as taen as a m)'el< Maje+sa 8i.8li.8te'

1$ &oderna poljska umetnost – izlo ž *a slikarstva i skulpture, Be).ra'C

Lj-*ljanaCZa.re*C")9lje, martCj-li 456=< T8e e?8i*iti)n in0l-'e'+)rs *: Maria arema, an Le*enstein, )nas( "tern, er(:N)+)sielsi, Henr: "ta\evsi, "te/an &ier)+si an' )t8ers< T8e0)mmissi)ner +as R)man Artim)+si, +8)se +)r +as in0i'entall:9-r08ase' /r)m t8e *-'.et )/ t8e 9r)je0t, as is menti)ne' in t8emem) )/ t8e G)mmissi)n /)r Internati)nal G-lt-ral Relati)ns< T8eintr)'-0t)t)r: te?t +as +ritten *: Ale?an'er !)j0ie08)+si<!r)*le+si#s +)rs +ere n)t s8)+n an' 8is name +as n)tmenti)ne' at all<

1% )okret otpora u delima poljskih umetnika, %metni]i 9avilj)n naMal)m Kaleme.'an-, 34<=< – 3<<457< It is interestin. t8at t8ise?8i*iti)n +as n)t )r.ani(e' *: t8e G)mmissi)n /)r Internati)nalG-lt-ral Relati)ns *-t *: t8e Ass)0iati)n )/ $eterans )/ t8e ;e)9le#sLi*erati)n !ar )/ Y-.)slavia W"%BNORX< T+) +)rs +ere *:!r)*le+si, )il )n 0anvas title' Arrest /r)m t8e M-se-m in Gra0)+an' t8e +)r )n 9a9er title' ire /r)m MH;RR in !arsa+< T8ee?8i*iti)n in0l-'e' 9aintin.s *: A'am B-n08, Helena Kraje+sa, er(: Kra+0(:, Br)nisla+ Line, "tanislav ;)(nansi, Erna

R)senstein, !)j0ie08 !eiss, "tanisQa+ Zl)t)+si, an' )t8ers[s0-l9t-res *: &a*riel Haj'as, Mie0(:sla+ Nar-s(e+i0(, Fran0is(e"tr:nie+i0(, Alina "(a9)0(ni)+, A'am ;r)0i an' )t8ers, as +ellas a sele0ti)n )/ .ra98i0 art an' 9)sters< "te/an Rassalsi +r)te t8eintr)'-0t)r: te?t in t8e 0atal).-e<

1& Mi)'ra. B-lat)vić W4514 C 4554X +as a +riter an' a j)-rnalist<His >rst n)vel top the %anu*e Waa< %evils are coming X +as 9-*lis8e' in4566 an' 8e is *est n)+n /)r 8is n)vel &en with four fingers W45=6X<M)st )/ 8is n)vels +ere translate' int) ;)lis8<



s)me )/ t8e -intessential sl).ans )/ t8e time t8e a08ieve'freedom /r)m /ear an' 0)nservativism, 'ee9l: 8-manist an'9r).ressive .)als, sense )/ )9timism a*)-t t8e 0)-rse )/ t8e /-t-ret8at +ill *rin. n)rmalit:, et0< !r)*le+si menti)ne' t8e E?8i*iti)n)/ Y)-n. Art 8el' t8at s-mmer in !arsa+#s Arsenal as a t-rnin.

9)int in t8e li/e )/ )-r art +8ere tr-e 9aintin.s an' tr-e artistsemer.e', an' as a res-lt )/ t8e :ears l)n. str-..le a.ainst ")vietim9)siti)ns an' stateC9)li0: art< !r)*le+si 9)litel: state' t8at t8e:0ame t) learn /r)m t8e Y-.)slav e?9erien0e, *e0a-se :)- +entm-08 /-rt8er t8en +e 'i', *-t als) ma'e a 9ers)nal 0)mment+8i08 is )/ *i..est im9)rtan0e /)r t8e in-ir: in t8e in@-en0e )/ t8isvisit /)r 8is )+n artisti0 9ra0ti0e I am 9ers)nall: intereste' in t8erelati)ns8i9 *et+een m)'ern 9ainters an' /)ll)re<47

The itinerary

T8is statement /r)m t8e intervie+ in NIN im9lies t8at !r)*le+si,+8en 8e a00e9te' t8e )er t) visit Y-.)slavia as a re9resentative)/ ;)lis8 m)'ern art, 8a' alrea': 8a' 8is )+n artisti0 interests t8atmi.8t *e 9artl: ass)0iate' +it8 a stere)t:9e t8at 8a' *een alrea':0reate' a*)-t t8e Balans in t8e E-r)9ean 0-lt-ral 0)nte?t sin0er)manti0ism< T8e /)ll)risti0 tra'iti)ns +ere seen as a-t8enti0 an'-nt)-08e' *: 9)liti0al, e0)n)mi0 an' 0-lt-ral 9r)0esses )/m)'erni(ati)n, *-t als) as s)met8in. t8at 0)-l' 8ave *eenem9l):e' as a vali' vis-al tra'iti)n /)r a m)'ern artisten'eav)-rin. t) >n' alternatives t) a0a'emi0 tra'iti)ns )/E-r)9ean art< A tellin. e?am9le 'ate' 62 :ears *e/)re !r)*le+si#s j)-rne: is t) *e /)-n' in t8e n)tes ma'e in 4544 *: :)-n. G8arlesCE')-ar' eanneret Wlater n)+n as Le G)r*-sierX +8) 8it t8e r)a' t)visit man: 9arts )/ E-r)9e t8at 8e mare' )n 8is ma9 eit8er *: IWIn'-str:X, K WG-lt-reX )r F WF)ll)reX< As all 9arts )/ Fran0e an'&erman:, an' m)st 9arts )/ Gentral E-r)9e 8a' *een mare' +it8I )r K, t8e m)re East eanneret +ent t8e m)re t8e letter Fa99eare'< !8en 8e 0ame t) Bel.ra'e, 8e +as 'isill-si)ne' *: t8isri'i0-l)-s 0a9ital, 'is8)nest, 'irt: an' 'is)r.ani(e' *-t attra0te'*: e?-isite 9)ts, 0)st-mes, 0ar9ets an' instr-ments 8e

en0)-ntere' in t8e Et8n).ra98i0 M-se-m< B: /)ll)+in. t8e r))ts )/s)me )/ t8ese )*je0ts 8e /)-n' 8imsel/ .reatl: enj):in. t8e0)-ntr:si'e an' t8e a-t8enti0 nat-ral s)0iet:, 0)l)-re' *: T(i.anem-si0, r-*:Cre' +ine an' 08am)mile /ra.ran0e< T8e /)ll)re 8e

14 e'an tren-ta sa An'rejem $r-*ljensim i Bar*ar)mMajevs)m , N-N , 126, Bel.ra'e, <44<4567< T8e te?t +as ill-strate'*: a re9r)'-0ti)n )/ !r)*le+si#s .)-a08e title' !)man +it8*ir's< In t8e same iss-e t8ere is a te?t ;)lan' )n its +a: W;)ljsana sv)m 9-t-X in +8i08 a99raisals /)r &)m-la#s re/)rm 0)ntin-e<



5

5

a99re0iate' in'i0ate' /)r 8im t8e resistan0e t) t8e inva'in. an''irt: E-r)9eani(ati)n<4= T8ese 0)mments a'm)nis8e' a.ainst t8e9erils )/ m)'erni(ati)n in re.i)ns still -n9re9are'# /)r it, an' +8eret8e /)ll)ri0, et8n) tra'iti)n, a99eare' t) *e t8e )nl: a-t8enti00-lt-re 0a9a*le )/ .eneratin. 0-lt-ral val-e<

H)+ever, !r)*le+si#s em9at8: +it8 Y-.)slav 0-lt-re +as m-08str)n.er an' +it8 a /eelin. )/ a 0)nsi'era*le em9at8:< Als), it isa99arent t8at 8is j)-rne: +as -n'ertaen in t8e times )/ 8is0)m9le? 9ers)nal 0risis an' tr)-*le' artisti0 sel/Cin-ir:< In t8issense Bar*ara Maje+sa e?9laine' t8at t8is tri9 +as n)t )nl: a tri9in t8e atm)s98ere )/ t8e ;)lis8 O0t)*er, *-t als) a tri9 s)-t8< In)t8er +)r's t8is +as 9rimaril: a sens-al j)-rne: t) e?9erien0e)t8er 8ill /)rms, )t8er smells, @)ra, )t8er in's )/ li.8t, )t8er*-il'in.s an' )t8er 9e)9le<4 !r)*le+si +as t8ere/)re n)t j-st a

man +8) +as t) re9resent t8e reCesta*lis8e' 9)liti0al an' 0-lt-rallins, *-t 8e +as 9rimaril: s)me)ne /r)m t8e 0)l' an' .ra: n)rt8travellin. s)-t8< It seems t8at Maje+sa an' !r)*le+si W-nlie LeG)r*-sierX +ere 9arti0-larl: im9resse' *: t8e 'iversit: t8e:en0)-ntere' in Y-.)slavia /r)m t8e E-r)9eaness )/ Lj-*ljana, its+ealt8 an' tran-illit: t) t8e m:sti0 lan' *: lae O8ri' inMa0e')nia< T8eir itinerar: 0an *e 9artl: re0)nstr-0te' *: t8e n)tes!r)*le+si s0ri**le' in 8is n)te*)) 'iar:, s)me 'ra+in.s 8e ma'ein 8is set08*)), an' *: 98)t).ra98s t8at m)stl: Maje+sa t))< T8ese 9ers)nal ')0-ments45 s8)+ t8at t8e: +ere taen )n a -ite a

0)nsi'era*le j)-rne: alm)st /r)m t8e n)rt8+est t) t8e s)-t8east )/t8e 0)-ntr:, an' t8is attests 8)+ seri)-sl: t8is visit +as 0)nsi'ere'an' )r.ani(e', 8avin. in min' t8at t8e: s9ent m)re t8en t8ree+ees m)vin. /r)m )ne 9la0e t) an)t8er<

A99arentl:, t8e j)-rne: +as str-0t-re' s) t) 9rimaril: visit t8e 0ities+8i08 +ere 9lanne' t) 8)st t8e ;)lis8 e?8i*iti)n in 9re9arati)n

15 I am .reatl: in'e*te' t) Lljiljana Bla.)jević /)r t8is re/eren0e<

"ee Lj< Bla.)jević , &odernism in er*ia. The +lusive &argins of /elgrade Architecture, !"!"'!"#!, T8e MIT ;ress, 3221

1 Bar*ara Maje+sa, ;)s(-i+ananie An'r(eja !<, ^ięź” , -ne 322=< _-)te' a/ter Andrzej ro*lewski, To the &argins and /ack , )9<0it<, 9< 46=<

1) G)-rtes: )/ F-n'a0ja An'r(eja !r*le+sie.)<



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Lj-*ljana, Za.re*, Bel.ra'e an' ")9je< T8e: s9ent m)st )/ t8eirtime in t8ese 0ities *-t +ere als) 'riven t) near*: sites< T8e:lan'e' in Bel.ra'e Wvia $iennaX )n O0t)*er 12, +8ere t8ere9resentatives )/ t8e G)mmissi)n .reete' t8em< T8e ver: ne?t 'a:t8e: met Mi)'ra. B-lat)vić +8) ma'e t8e intervie+ /)r NIN< T8e

same evenin., !r)*le+si an' Maje+sa +ent t) a 0inema t) see a&ar: G))9er >lm Wm)st 9r)*a*l: High Noon20X im9l:in. t8atH)ll:+))' >lms – sin0e 4562 re.-larl: )n t8e re9ert)ire )/ Y-.)slav0inemas – 9resente' a maj)r interest /)r s)me)ne 0)min. /r)m a0)-ntr: t8at +as -n'er t8e ")viet ')0trine /)r a l)n.er time< T8isr)le )/ t8e Ameri0an >lms +as as +ell n)te' in t8e re9)rt )n t8e Y-.)slavian 0-lt-re 'elivere' in t8e ;)lis8 Ministr: )/ F)rei.n Aairs<!e rea' t8ere !r' rPn:08 '(ie'(in P:0ia -lt-ralne.) + -.)sQa+ii naj+iVs(: a na+et ')min-j0: -'(iaQ %"A (a(na0(a siVna )'0in- >lm-< "9r(:ja tem- /at, Pe -.)sQa+ia )tr(:m-je

)l*r(:mi il)ć >lm+ amer:aJsi08 + rama08 9)m)0:< " t) >lm:9r(e+aPnie stare ) tre0i sensa0:jnej, naj0(V0iej r:milanej l-*0li+)Csent:mentalnej34< On N)vem*er 4 t8e: +ere 'riven /r)mBel.ra'e t) Lj-*ljana, +8ere t8e ne?t 'a: t8e: 8a' a meetin. in t8eM)'ern &aller: +it8 t8e 'ire0t)r Z)ran Kr\i`ni33 Wa 9)rtrait )/ 8is isam)n. Maje+sa#s 98)t)sX, Nati)nal &aller:, t8e e?8i*iti)n )/ Italian0)ntem9)rar: art Savremena Italska metnost! Slikarst"o# Sk$l%t$ra WM)'erna &alerija, 14<42 – 34<44<4567X an' s0-l9t)rs

2* T8is /am)-s +estern m)vie 8as *een s-*je0te' t) vari)-s i'e)l).i0alinter9retati)ns< ")me 0riti0s see t8e >lm as a s:m*)li0 alle.)r: a*)-t Ameri0an/)rei.n 9)li0: '-rin. t8e K)rean !ar, 9r)9a.atin. t8e i'ea t8at +ar, -n'er 0ertain0ir0-mstan0es, is *)t8 m)ral an' inevita*le< Mars8al Kane +ants t) maintain9ea0e, a/ter 0leanin. -9 t8e t)+n >ve :ears *e/)re Wt8e "e0)n' !)rl' !arX, *-t,rel-0tantl:, 8e 8as t) /a0e a ne+ a..ressi)n Wt8e K)rean !arX< A00)r'in. t) t8isrea'in., t8e _-aer +i/e stan's in /)r Ameri0an 9a0i>sts an' is)lati)nists, t8)-.8s8e t)) later reali(es t8e im9)rtan0e )/ s-99)rtin. 8er 8-s*an'< W"ee m)re at8tt9+++<eman-ellev:<0)m9)90-lt-re8i.8Cn))nCm00art8:Can'C9)liti0sC5st8as8<aZ_5iGn&<'9-/ X Interestin.l:, !r)*le+si +as /as0inate' *: t8e Fren08a0tivist Ra:m)n' Dien +8) 9r)teste' a.ainst t8is +ar *: st)99in. a train an'

+8)m !r)*l+si met in Berlin in 4564<

21

22 8oran 9r \i`nik (1)2*+2**- was a Slovenian art historian and critic who was

director of the Modern Galler" in :;ubl;ana for almost 2* "ears, from 1)&4 to 1)4

!e was a specialist in sculpture and also one of the founders of the 3nternational

.iennial of Graphic Art in :;ubl;ana

http://www.emanuellevy.com/popculture/high-noon-mccarthy-and-politics-9/#sthash.aZQ9iCnG.dpuf






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"t)jan Bati]31 an' B)ris Kalin3 an' t8e ne?t 'a: t8e 9ainter Ri)De*enja36< On t8e 3n' N)vem*er t8e: visite' an)t8er e?8i*iti)n –t8e internati)nal 98)t).ra98: 7< Me'nar)'na Ra(stava F)t).ra>jWM)'erna &alerija, 1<44 – 3<43<4567X< An)t8er entertainin. m)mentma'e its +a: in !r)*le+si#s 'iar: )n t8at 'a: – 'an0in. in "l)n

WEle98antX ni.8t 0l-*, +8i08 Maje+sa als) menti)ns as t8e 9la0e+8ere t8e: 'an0e' t) I l)ve ;aris in t8e m))nli.8t<37 On N)vem*er t8e: t)) an a99arentl: mem)ra*le tri9 t) t8e "l)venian 0)astWvisitin. t)+ns )/ K)9er, I()la, ;iran an' ;)rt)r)\X, an' )n t8eir +a:t8e: st)99e' t) visit t8e /ame' ;)st)jna 0ave< A n-m*er )/98)t).ra98s an' 'ra+in.s re/er t) t8is visit t) t8e 0)ast an' t8e0ave Me'iterranean am*ien0e )/ narr)+ streets an' t8e 9)rt )/;iran, a ne+l: *-ilt 8)tel in ;)rt)r)\, m)-ntains )n t8eir +a: an' a0astle near t8e entran0e t) ;)st)jna 0ave<

On N)vem*er 7 t8e: arrive' in Za.re* an' a99arentl: +ent t) t8e;avili)n Ivan Me`tr)vić 'esi.ne' an' +8i08 +as t-rne' int) am)s-e '-rin. t8e +ar an' later -se' *: t8e Gr)atian %ni)n )/artists< Ivan Me`tr)vić +as s-99)se'l: t8e )nl: Y-.)slav artist!r)*le+si +as -ite /amiliar +it8 an' 8e ma'e a /e+ set08es )/

2$ Sto;an .ati] is a Slovenian sculptor born in

1)2& !e was in the 0artisan movement durin# the German occupation of /u#oslavia

and in 1)&1 he #raduated from the :;ubl;ana ine Arts Academ" !is fi#urative st"lewas influenced b" .oris 9alin as well as b" <ssip 8adkin with whom he temporaril"

worked in 0aris in the earl" 1)&*s !e completed $5 public monuments, mostl" in

Slovenia

2% .oris 9alin (1)*&+1)5&- was a Slovenian

sculptor who studied in 8a#reb before the war and was influenced b" his professors

3van Me`trovi] and ran;o 9r ̀ inić After the war he became one of the most

influential professors at the :;ubl;ana Art Academ" !e was a specialist in carvin#

stone

2& 'iko =eben;ak (1)*+1)5- was a Slovenian

painter and a #raphic artist who became one of the best+known representatives of the

so+called :;ubl;ana school of #raphic art

24 Bar*ara Maje+sa, ;)s(-i+ananieAn'(eja !<



43

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8is s0-l9t-res t8at 8e sa+ W&r$ci'(ion in t8e )/ "t< Mar#s 08-r08 inZa.re*, )other and the child, et0<X< In Za.re* t8e: 8a' als) ameetin. +it8 t8e s0-l9t)r Ivan K)\arić3= an' t8e 9ainter Iv) D-l]ić3,an' t8e ne?t 'a: +it8 )ne )/ t8e m)st in@-ential Gr)atian artistsKrst) He.e'-`ić35, as +ell as +it8 t8e 9ainter Ot)n &li8a12< Travellin.

)n a ni.8t train 8e +as *a0 in Bel.ra'e )n t8e 5t8 in t8e m)rnin.<F)r t8at 'a: t8e )nl: 'iar: entr: re/ers t) 8is visit t) t8e Nati)nalM-se-m W+8ere 8e ma'e a 0)-9le )/ set08esX, an' /)r t8e ne?t 'a:)nl: t) t8e Et8n).ra98i0 m-se-m, ar.-a*l: t8e m)st ins9irin. 'a:/)r 8is )+n artisti0 9ra0ti0e, t) +8i08 +e +ill .et *a0 later in t8ete?t<

In Bel.ra'e 8e als) met La(ar $-jalija14, t8e 9ainter +8)se +)rrelatin. t) l)0al /)ll)ri0 tra'iti)ns mi.8t 8ave 'ire0tl: in@-en0e'!r)*le+si, an' +8)m 8e 'es0ri*e' )n a *a0 )/ a 98)t) as t8e

m)st t:9i0al Y-.)slav artist an' later in t8e te?t 8e +r)te /)r*r+egl,d -rt.st.c+n. Wan' t) +8i08 +e s8all als) ret-rn laterX, as t8eman +8) 0)m*ines t8e 9r)9ensit: /)r -niversal 98il)s)98isin. +it8

25 3van 9o\arić (b 1)21- is ar#uabl" the most

acclaimed roatian modern sculptor 3n the 1)4*s he was also a member of the neo+

avant#arde #roup Gor#ona in 8a#reb 3n recent "ears he received an international

acclaim and his entire studio was presented as part of the %ocumenta !! in 9assel,

2**2

2 3vo =ul]ić (1)14+1)5&- was a roatian painter

known for his colorism and as one of the rare artist workin# on reli#ious topics durin#

the socialist times

2) 9rsto !e#edu`ić (1)*1+1)5&- was one of the

most influential roatian artists of the 2*th centur" 3n 1)2) he co+founded the #roup

8eml;a (Soil- which focused on social topics and rural life 3n 1)&o he became professor at 8a#reb Art Academ" and was on the the few artists in /u#oaslavia who

received the official title of the Master of art :ater he established his master

class where man" "oun#er artists practiced !e is known for his fi#urative paintin#

and for c"cles of frescoes includin# the one at the memorial house dedicated to the

famous battle of Sut;eska in !er>e#ovina

$* <ton Gliha (1)1%+1)))- was a roatian painter

who is best known for his abstract paintin#s relatin# to mountainous rock"

landscapes



41

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a sim9leC8earte' 0)mm)n sense<13 D-rin. t8e ne?t 'a:s inBel.ra'e 8e als) menti)ne' in 8is 'iar: t8e names )/ 9aintersAlesan'ar L-)vić11, Mari) Masareli1 an' Mil) Mil-n)vić16 +8) +as)ne )/ t8e /)-n'ers an' t8e m)st in@-ential >.-re )/ t8e Bel.ra'eA0a'em: )/ >ne arts an' its m)'erate m)'ernist 0)-rse *ase' )n

;arisian 9reC+ar 9aintin.<

On N)vem*er 4 !r)*le+si an' Maje+sa le/t *: ni.8t train t)")9je, +8i08 +as t8e /)-rt8 0it: 9lanne' t) 8)st t8e ;)lis8e?8i*iti)n< T8e: s9ent )nl: )ne 'a: t8ere, an' le/t *: 0ar t) ;rile9Wt) see a va`ar, i<e< a villa.e /airX, 8a' a l-n08 in Bit)la an' arrive'in O8ri' in t8e evenin.< T8e ne?t t+) 'a:s t8e: s9ent *: t8e O8ri'lae, +8i08 +as 9r)*a*l: a m)st mem)ra*le e?9erien0e '-rin.+8i08 t8e: t)) a maj)rit: )/ t8eir 98)t).ra98s t8e B:(antine08-r08es )/ "t< Glement an' "< ")98ia, t)+ns0a9es )/ O8ri' an'

"tr-.a, )l' t)m*st)nes )verl))in. t8e lae +it8 s)me r)manti0

$1 :a>ar ?u;akli;a (1)1%+1))&- was a self+tau#ht

painter who worked as a print+worker before the war !is talent was reco#ni>ed in the

1)&*s and he became the onl" formall" uneducated painter in the =ecember #roup

found in .el#rade in 1)&& Medieval paintin# and particularl" the .osnian medieval

tombstones, stećci, primaril" influenced his decorative st"le in his paintin#s and

tapestries

$2 An'r(ej !r)*le+si, N)tati -.)sl)+iansie, *r+egl,d -rt.st.c+n. , 4567, n)< , 9< 7–=< En.lis8 translati)n0)-rtes: )/ F-n'a0ja An'r(eja !r*le+sie.)<

$$ Aleksandar :uković (b 1)2%- was a member of

the =ecember #roup and as a fi#urative painter he is mostl" known for his alle#orical

renderin#s of circus motifs

$% Mario Maskareli (1)1+1))4- was a renowned

Montene#rian painter

$& Milo Milunović (1)5+1)45- was one of the

founders of the .el#rade Art Academ" in 1)$5 rom 1)&* to his death he was the

most influential professor at the Academ", and his work is mostl" situated at the

border between intimist fi#urative paintin# and associative abstraction



4

4

vie+s )/ t8e s-nset< !r)*le+si#s set08es /r)m Ma0e')nia s8)+ 8isinterest in /)l 0)st-mes Wes9e0iall: Al*anian 0a9sX an' in t:9)l).:)/ 08ara0ters, in0l-'in. a 9la:/-l 'ra+in. )/ a street s8)eC9)lis8er<

On M)n'a:, N)vem*er 45, t8e: ret-rne' t) Bel.ra'e< T8e )nl:

entr: /)r t8at an' t8e ne?t 'a: re/ers t) t8e meetin. +it8 s)memem*ers )/ t8e De0em*er .r)-9- an' t8e 9ainter Z)ra ;etr)vić17 9r)*a*l: at t8e .at8erin. )r.ani(e' *: t8e ;)lis8 Em*ass:< !8i08mem*ers )/ t8e De0em*er .r)-9 8e met is n)t 0lear Was 8e alrea':met L-)vić an' $-jalija +8) *)t8 *el)n.e' t) t8e .r)-9X *-t 8e'e>nitel: 'i' n)t meet Mi)'ra. ;r)tić – t8e m)st in@-ential >.-re int8e .r)-9 an' later /)-n'er )/ t8e M-se-m )/ G)ntem9)rar: Art inBel.ra'e – +8) +as in ;aris at t8at time<1= A00)r'in. t)!r)*le+si#s n)te*)), Maje+sa an' 8im 'e9arte' *: 9lane /r)mBel.ra'e alrea': )n N)vem*er 34 Walt8)-.8 N)vem*er 31 is -s-all:

menti)ne' as t8e last 'a: )/ t8is tri9X< A00)r'in. t) t8e n)te*)),)n t8e 33n' !r)*le+si +as alrea': in ;)lan', meetin. R:s(ar'"tanisla+si in !arsa+, as +ell as 8is /rien's – An'r(ej !aj'a an'Mie0(:sla+ ;)rVe*si t) s8are +it8 t8em in/)rmati)n a*)-t t8is tri9<

From hot springs of Middle Ages to a frail Yugoslav cultural

identity

As it is alrea': menti)ne', as an )-t0)me )/ t8e initiative t)e?08an.e e?8i*iti)ns, t8e s8)+ )/ m)'ern ;)lis8 art )9ene' inBel.ra'e )n Mar08 33 4567, an' later als) in Lj-*ljana, Za.re* an'

$4 8ora 0etrović (1)%+1)42- was the leadin#

Serbian woman painter who became particularl" renowned for her last works6 lar#e

expressionist fl"in# nudes in which she explored anxieties of female sexualit",

related to her own clandestine homosexualit"

$5 Mi)'ra. B< ;r)tić W*< 4533X is t8e m)st

9r)minent >.-re )/ "er*ian m)'ernist art in t8e 4562s an' 4572s<He +as t8e /)-n'er )/ t8e M)'ern &aller: in Bel.ra'e in 4565, an'initiate' t8e 9r)je0t )/ t8e ne+ *-il'in. /)r t8e M-se-m )/G)ntem9)rar: Art +8i08 )9ene' in 4576< He +as 'ire0t)r )/ t8eM-se-m -ntil 454< He +as ver: a0tive as an art t8e)rist an' 0riti0'e/en'in. m)'ernist 9rin0i9les in art, an' 8is 9aintin. .ra'-all:m)ve' /r)m 9)stC0-*ist >.-rati)n )/ t8e 4562s t) .e)metri0ala*stra0ti)n /r)m t8e 4572s< He +r)te e?tensive mem)irs< H)+ever,in 8is mem)irs !r)*le+si is never menti)ne'< -'.in. /r)m t8em;r)tić +as visitin. ;aris at t8at time, +8i08 0ame t) *e -ite a/re-ent 0ase /)r esta*lis8e' artists at t8e time in Y-.)slavia< "eeMi)'ra. B< ;r)tić, Nojeva *arka - , Be).ra' "KZ, 3222<



46

46

")9lje< At a99r)?imatel: t8e same time t8e e?8i*iti)n )/ De0em*er.r)-9 )9ene' in !arsa+ at Z+ia(e- ;)lsi08 Art:st)+ ;last:)+<In a mem) a*)-t !r)*le+si#s visit /r)m t8e ar08ive )/ t8e Y-.)slavG)mmissi)n /)r Internati)nal G-lt-ral Relati)ns, an)t8er e?8i*iti)n+as 9lanne' t) *e 8el' in ;)lan', t8e e?8i*iti)n G)ntem9)rar:

Y-.)slav Art +8i08 +as at t8at time t)-rin. in Ital:< It is 9)ssi*le t)s9e0-late t8at !r)*le+si mi.8t 8ave *een inv)lve' in initiatin. t8es8)+ )/ De0em*er .r)-9 in'e9en'entl:, as it seems t8at t8e Y-.)slav G)mmissi)n /)r Internati)nal G-lt-ral Relati)ns +as n)tinv)lve' in me'iatin. t8is e?8i*iti)n< T8e 0atal).-e )/ t8e e?8i*iti)nla0s an: in/)rmati)n a*)-t t8e )r.ani(ati)n an' 0-rati)n, t8ere isn) intr)'-0t)r: te?t *-t )nl: *asi0 in/)rmati)n a*)-t artists an're9r)'-0e' +)rs<1

T8e De0em*er &r)-9 +as esta*lis8e' in De0em*er 4566 *: 42

9ainters )/ t8e .enerati)n *)rn in t8e 4532s an' +8i08 8ave*e0)me a0tive as artists in earl: 4562s, s) m)stl: -nae0te' *: t8es8)rtClivin. s)0Crealist 9eri)' in Y-.)slavia an' re9resentin. t8e ne+m)'ernist /a0ti)n )/ "er*ian art< T8e .r)-9 never iss-e' an: /)rmalmani/est) an' *-t t8eir +)r +as 9re')minantl: inter9rete' an'9r)m)te' *: its m)st )-ts9)en mem*er, Mi)'ra. ;r)tić, *-t +8)se+ritin.s ') n)t )er an: e?9lanati)n a*)-t +8at +as s9e0i>0all:0)mm)n /)r t8e .r)-9 )-tsi'e )/ t8e .eneral n)ti)n )/ t8e'is0)ver: )/ aest8eti0 9)larisati)n15 an' )/ 9rin0i9all: 9-rs-in.m)'ernist val-es in a s)0ial atm)s98ere still .enerall: a'amant t)

n)nCrealist 9aintin.< In 9ra0ti0e, m)st )/ t8eir +)r +as08ara0teri(e' *: a s:nt8eti0 attem9t t) s)me8)+ re0)n0ile +8at+as -n'erst))' t) *e t8e t+) ')minatin. ten'en0ies )/ m)'ernist9aintin. geometrism Win t8e /)rm )/ 9)stC0-*ism an' in@-en0e'*: artists ass)0iate' +it8 t8e ;arisian A*stra0ti)nCGrbati)n in t8e4512s, as +ell as *: Ben Ni08)ls)n )r )se/ Al*ersX an' l.ricala/straction, +it8 in@-en0es als) 0)min. m)stl: /r)m ;arisWtachismeX *-t +it8 s)me limite' a+areness )/ Ameri0an a*stra0t

$ 0stawa %ecem*arske grupe” /elgrad , 46 +ietnia – maja, 4567, Z+ia(e ;)lsi08 Art:st+;last:+ OrV.- !ars(a+sie.), !ars(a+a< !)rs *: all mem*ers)/ t8e .r)-9 +ere e?8i*ite' Mil)` Bajić, Dra.-tin Gi.ar]ić, "t)jancelić, Z)ran ;etr)vić, Mi)'ra. ;r)tić, Mla'en "r*in)vić, Alesan'ar T)ma`ević, La(ar $)(arević an' La(ar $-jalija<

$) !)r's /r)m t8e te?t *:Mi)'ra. ;r)tić in t8e 0atal).-e %ecem*arska grupa 1!"$$'!"234, K-lt-rniGentar Be).ra'a, 4575<



47

47

e?9ressi)nism< ;r)tić later 8i.8li.8te' a rati)nal an' 'is0i9line'a99r)a08 )/ t8e .r)-9 in )99)siti)n t) int-itive, s9)ntane)-s,e?9ressive, as +ell as intimisti0 ernel )/ t8e l)0al 9reC+artra'iti)n<2

F)r t8is .r)-9 t8e m)'ernists 8a' alrea': +)n t8e 'is9-te +it8t8e realists an' it +as time t) e?9l)re /-rt8er t8e lan.-a.e )/ art-ltimatel: lea'in. t) a*stra0ti)n, as is )*vi)-s in ;r)tić#s )+n)e-vre in t8e 4572s< H)+ever, n) mem*er )/ t8e .r)-9 a*an')ne'at t8at time t8e ass)0iative 08ara0ter )/ 9ainte' /)rms an're9resentati)ns, an' s)me )/ t8em t-rne' t) t8e 'istant 9ast intr:in. t) >n' s)me a-t8enti0 )r ar08et:9i0al l)0al 9ara'i.ms )/9i0t)rial )r.ani(ati)n an' s:m*)li0al meanin.s relevant /)r m)'ern9aintin. an' s9e0i>0all: /)r t8e 0reati)n )/ a nati)nal s08))l +it8in a-niversal vis-al lan.-a.e 9r)m9te' *: internati)nal m)'ernism< In

+)rs )/ s)me )/ t8e mem*ers )/ t8e .r)-9 Wn)ta*l: La(ar$)(arević4, Alesan'ar T)maèvić3, Mla'en "r*in)vić1 an' La(ar$-jalijaX t8is 9ara'i.m +as t) *e /)-n' in B:(antine art, an'9arti0-larl: in 9)stCB:(antine /)ll)ri0 tra'iti)ns )/ t8e Balans<Me'ieval /res0)es an' /-nerar: m)n-ments an' t)m*st)nes +ere.reete' as m)'els )/ -nitin. t8e l).i0 )/ m)'ernist 9aintin. an'

%* Mi)'ra. B< ;r)tić,

"liarstv) èste 'e0enije - "r*iji, Jugoslovensko slikarstvo 1este decenije,M-(ej savremene -metn)sti, Be).ra', 452, 9< 13<

%1 :a>ar ?o>arević (1)2&+1)4-

was a Serbian painter active since the earl" 1)&*s and whose work was influenced b"

cubism and .">antine paintin# and mosaic

%2 Aleksandar Tomaèvić (1)21+1)4- was a Serbian painter whose #radual move towards constructive abstraction

was based on associatin# with .">antine pictorial models and post+.">antine Serbian

decorative art and textile !e was involved as restorer and conservator of frescoes in

Serbian medieval monasteries

%$ Mladen Srbinović (1)2&+2**)-

was 0rofessor at the Art Academ" in .el#rade since 1)&$ !e has accomplished a

series of paintin#s and particularl" public mosaics s"mbolisin# national cultural

herita#e



4=

4=

s0-l9t-re +it8 s)me eternal, -n08an.in. 9i0t)rial an' s9irit-aleternit: ela*)rate' +it8in an attem9t t) se0-re a s8are' Y-.)slavi'entit: )/ all nati)ns 0)nsistin. t8e /e'erati)n< T8is m)'el +as /)rs-re n)t .enerate' as a s9)ntane)-s )r a-t)n)m)-s 'e0isi)n )n*e8al/ )/ t8e artists, *-t it +as alrea': esta*lis8e' as 9art )/ t8e

9)stCs)0ialistCrealist 0-lt-ral 9)li0:< I ten' t) as0ri*e t8is 9)li0:9rimaril: t) t8e maj)r in@-en0e )/ t8e 9)siti)n t8e a00laime'Gr)atian +riter Mir)slav Krle\a, an' als) a 0l)se 0)mra'e )/ Tit),+8) +as a/ter t8e +ar a maj)r a-t8)rit: in t8e >el' )/ 0-lt-re<

F)r Krle\a, t8e 'e9art-re /r)m s)0ialist realism +as n)t t) im9l:a0-ies0en0e +it8 t8e !est +8i08 'enies -s /r)m t8e *e.innin.an' merel: -n0riti0al imitati)n )/ +estern m)'ernist tren's, *-trat8er a revitali(ati)n )/ t8e a-t8enti0 tra'iti)n )/ )-r 0ivili(ati)n+8i08 Krle\a -n'erstan's as Y-.)slav ':namism t8at +as

a00)r'in. t) its )+n la+ )/ m)vement str)n. en)-.8 n)t t) 9eris8an' resistant en)-.8 n)t t) 9assivel: s-00-m* t) m-08 str)n.er0ivili(ati)ns ar)-n' it<6 Krle\a state' t8is in t8e 0atal).-e )/ t8elar.e e?8i*iti)n )/ Y-.)slav me'ieval 9aintin. an' s0-l9t-re in;alais 'e G8aill)t in ;aris 4562, +8i08 +as t8e >rst maj)r Y-.)slave?8i*iti)n a*r)a' a/ter t8e +ar< T8e e?8i*iti)n in0l-'e' t8ree .r)-9s)/ 'is9la:e' arte/a0ts 0)9ies )/ B:(antine /res0)es /r)m "er*ianme'ieval m)nasteries, se0ti)ns )/ 9)rtals an' s0-l9t-res /r)mR)mani0 08-r08es in Dalmatia, an' B)snian B).)mil t)m*st)nesWsteciX< T8ese arte/a0ts as re9resentin. "er*ian, Gr)atian an'

B)snian nati)nal tra'iti)ns +ere seen in 8arm)n: +it8 a rat8ers8)rtClive' ten'en0: in t8e 4562s t) s:nt8esise a Y-.)slav i'entit:*: esta*lis8in. 0)mm)n r))ts as resistin. 0-lt-ral 0)l)nialisati)n )/9)+er/-l /)r0es ')minatin. t8is re.i)n in its 8ist)r:< F)r Krle\a,t8ese me'ieval arte/a0ts are taen as ve8i0les )/ i'enti/:in. ana-t)08t8)n)-s vis-al 0ivili(ati)n +8i08 is essentiall: *ase' )nanta.)nism, )n resistin. t) :iel' t) an: im9)se' al98a*et,lan.-a.e, s0-l9t-re, ima.e, 08-r08 )r 9)liti0s<7

%% Mir)slav Krle\a W451C454X is ar.-a*l: t8e m)st im9)rtant 32t8 0ent-r: +riter, 9)et,9la:+ri.8t an' essa:ist in t8e Gr)atianC"er*ian lan.-a.e an' 8is9la:s an' n)vels +ere translate' int) man: lan.-a.es in0l-'in.;)lis8< His in@-en0e )n 0-lt-ral 9)li0: in Y-.)slavia es9e0iall: '-rin.t8e antiC"talinist 0-lt-ral re/)rms in t8e 4562s 0ann)t *e )verstate'<

%& Mir)slav Krle\a, ^I(l)\*a j-.)sl)vens). sre'njeve)vn).sliarstva i 9lastie, Jugoslavija, 3, +inter 4562<



4

4

L-?-ri)-sl: ill-strate' )U0ial 0-lt-ral ma.a(ine 3$goslavi4a We'ite'*: Ot) Bi8alji Merin=, an)t8er str)n. a'v)0ate )/ *rin.in. t).et8erm)'ernist tren's +it8 l)0al /)ll)ri0 tra'iti)ns an' a str)n. 9r)m)ter)/ nadve 9aintin.X +as a maj)r m)-t89ie0e )/ s-08 a 0-lt-ral an'9)liti0al m)'el, an' it *r)-.8t a*)-t vari)-s vis-al material

ill-stratin. t8e relati)ns8i9 *et+een l)0al 0-lt-ral ar08et:9es an'm)'ern artisti0 as9irati)ns< %ltimatel:, at t8e internati)nal E?9) inBr-ssels in 456, Y-.)slav 0-lt-re +as re9resente' m)stl: *:m)'ernist 9aintin.s an' s0-l9t-res ins9ire' *: B:(antine an'/)ll)ri0 tra'iti)ns, in0l-'in. a 9aintin. *: Mi)'ra. ;r)tić ins9ire' *:/res0)es /r)m "t< ")98ia in O8ri', Mla'en "r*in)vić#s ren'iti)n )/ a/res0)e /r)m De]ani m)naster:, a s0-l9t-re *: )van Krat)8vil ins9ire' *: B)snian t)m*st)nes, et0<5

!8at is at stae in )-r in-ir: in t8e An'r(ej !r)*le+si#s visit is

t8at 8is )+n interest state' -9)n t8e arrival t) Bel.ra'e WI am9ers)nall: intereste' in t8e relati)ns8i9 *et+een m)'ern 9aintersan' /)ll)reX +as mat08e' *: t8e alrea': str-0t-re' 0-lt-ral 9)li0:in Y-.)slavia t8at +as 9r)m)tin. t8is relati)ns8i9< Als), La(ar$-jalija, t8e artists +it8 +8)m 8e s9ent s)me 0)nsi'era*le time,9resente' )ne )/ t8e 0learest e?am9les )/ t8is tren'< $-jalija +as a8)m) n)v-s in t8e artisti0 0ir0les )/ t8e 4562s, a sel/Cta-.8t9ainter +8) +as /)rmerl: a sim9le 9rintC+)rer< His 'e0)rative st:leW+8i08 *r)-.8t 8im later a 0)nsi'era*le maret /)r 8is 9aintin.s an'ta9estriesX 0)m*ine' 9)stC0-*ism an' /)ll)re, an' 9rimaril:

%4 Miroslav 9rle@a, 8lato i srebro 8adraB, +seji, 0rosveta, .eo#rad, 1)&

%5 <to .ihal;i Merin (1)*%+1))$- was a 7ewish art historian and writer who

lived in German" in the 1)2*s (when he was, to#ether with Geor# :ukacs, one of the

editors of 5inkskurve- and then also briefl" in the 1)$*s where he was the member of

ommunist 0art" and then emi#rated to /u#oslavia After the war he published a

series of illustrated books on visual culture, was the editor+in+chief of the ma#a>ine Jugoslavija and he was dedicated to promotion of local na d ve art

% 7ovan 9ratohvil (1)2%+1))- was a Serbian sculptor !e was 0rofessor at

.el#rade Art Academ", but also a successful sportsmen as a swimmin# champion of

/u#oslavia

%) Re9r)'-0e' in Jugoslavija, n)< 46, 456<



45

45

re/eren0es t) >.-res /r)m B)snian me'ieval t)m*st)nes, )r steci<Alt8)-.8 a99re0iate' 9rimaril: /)r 8is sim9li0it: an' )/ /)rms an'e?9ressi)ns, 8is +)r +as alrea': in 4566 in'-0e' *: t8eintelle0t-al a-t8)rit: )/ Mir)slav Krle\a an' 8is inter9retati)ns )/ alinea.e )/ 0)mm)n Y-.)slav 0-lt-ral 8erita.e I/ Krle\a 8a' n)t s)

ener.eti0all: insiste' )n t8e val-e )/ t8is artisti0 8erita.e, t8ere+)-l' *e n) 'esire )n *e8al/ )/ t8e artists t) em9l): t8is *r-tal an'imme'iate st:le – as is t8e 0ase +it8 t8e )t8ers, $-jalija +)-l' n)t8ave even n)+n a*)-t t8e e?isten0e )/ t8is 8)t s9rin. )n )-rs)il<62

H)+ever, t8e 0riti0 Alesa ele*)n)vić64 +8) ma'e t8is 0)mment in8is >rst te?t +ritten )n $-jalija, 'i' nevert8eless 9rise' t8is semiCamate-r 9ainter /)r 8is m)'e )/ translatin. 8is )+n em)ti)ns int)an ar08ai0 an' 9)+er/-l 9i0t)rial lan.-a.e, an' /)r 8is a*ilit: t)

s8)+ *)t8 s)rr)+ an' *-):an0:, .rie/ an' 8-m)-r< Alt8)-.8!r)*le+si +as *: /ar m)re sil/-l, intelli.ent an' s)98isti0ate'9ainter t8en $-jalija, s)me )/ !r)*le+si#s +)rs t8at are 'ate' int8e 9eri)' )/ t8e last m)nt8s )/ 8is li/e, *ear a striin.resem*lan0e t) $-jalija#s 9aintin.s an' ta9estries< On t8e )t8er8an', !r)*le+si#s intelle0t-al 9resen0e ma'e an im9a0t )n$-jalija +8i08 is ma'e )*vi)-s in a n)te $-jaljija +r)te )n t8e*a0 )/ a 98)t).ra98 t8at Bar*ara Maje+sa t)) )/ 8im Ws8)+in.8im as a sim9le +)rin. man +it8 m)-sta08es 8)l'in. a mari.)l'@)+erX an' +8i08 8e 'e'i0ate' t) !r)*le+si T) t8e f an' tall

0riti0 +8) l))s at -s /r)m a*)ve an' 8-rts )-r min's +it8 8ist8)-.8ts<63

Folklore, death and reication

!e ma: 9res-me t8at t8e maj)r 0reative im9et-s !r)*le+si /)-n'in Y-.)slavia +as insti.ate' *: 8is visit t) t8e Et8n).ra98i0m-se-m in Bel.ra'e< T8e e?8i*iti)n t8at +as )n 'is9la: in t8e time

&* Alesa ele*)n)vić, La(ar $-jalija W4566X, in 5azar 6ujaklija,i('anje a-t)ra, Be).ra' 45=3<

&1 Aleksa elebonović (1)15+1)5- was a prolific Serbian art critic, painter and

exhibition or#ani>er !is brother Marko elebonović was an influential painter

&2 A 8an'C+ritten n)te )n a *a0 )/ a 98)t).ra98 taen *: Bar*araMaje+sa< G)-rtes: )/ F-n'a0ja An'r(eja !r*le+sie.)<



32

32

)/ 8is visit 9r)vi'e' 8im +it8 t8e )99)rt-nit: t) see in vivo s)me )/t8e maj)r e?am9les )/ 0arve' an' 9ainte' t)m*st)nes t8at ins9ire's)me )/ 8is last +)rs< T8e e?8i*iti)n +as 0alle' ;easant T)m*st)nes in "er*ia an' it in0l-'e' B)snian an' Her(e.)viniansteci /r)m t8e 4t8 an' t8e 46t8 0ent-r:, t)m*st)nes /)-n' near t8e

"t-'eni0a m)naster: Wr)-.8l: /r)m t8e 4=t8 an' 4t8 0ent-riesX, an's)me later e?am9les )/ 9easant t)m*st)nes in0l-'in. t8e s) 0alle'raj9-taì as marers /)r 'ea' s)l'iers in 0entral "er*ia in t8e 45t8

an' t8e earl: 32t8 0ent-r:<61 !8at is 0)mm)n in t8ese sim9l: 0arve'st)nes are re9resentati)ns )/ /-ll: /r)ntal >.-res t8at .a(e -9)n -sas i/ t8e: ') n)t )nl: re9resent 9etri>e' >.-res )/ t8e 'e0ease',*-t als) 9resent an inter/a0e )/ 0)mm-ni0ati)n +it8 t8em< T8ese>.-res are )/ten s8)+n as i/ .reetin. -s in s)me 0l-ms: :et9)i.nant +a:, as i/ stan'in. in t8eir v-lnera*le stillness at t8et8res8)l' *et+een t8e +)rl' )/ t8e 'ea' an' t8e +)rl' )/ t8e livin.<

T8e 0reativit: )/ t8e 9easants +8) ma'e t8em is inter9rete' in t8e0atal).-e )/ t8e e?8i*iti)n as s)met8in. t8e: ne+ 8)+ t) ') *-tn)t n)+in. +8: t8e: are ')in. it – *: /)r.ettin. t8eir )ri.inalmeanin. in a 8erita.e +8ere t8e la0 )/ +ritten tra'iti)n +eres-99lemente' *: )rall: transmitte' le.en's an' vis-al s:m*)lism< T8is >.-re )/ t8e 9easantCartisan +as alm)st e?9li0itl: -n'erst))'as s)me8)+ ain t) a m)'ernist artist e?9l)rin. a ne+ artisti0-niverse Kn)+in. little, *-t /eelin. m-08, 8e 0)ntin-e' t) *e ana-t8enti0 0reat)r, /ree, alm)st e?trava.ant, irres9)nsi*le, al+a:s

rea': t) im9r)vise an' see t8e -ne?9e0te' an' t8e invisi*le<6

Itis n) +)n'er t8at t8e intr)'-0t)r: te?t /)r t8is e?8i*iti)n +as n)t+ritten *: s)me s08)lar resear08in. t8is 0-ri)-s et8n).ra98i0al

&$ Kraj9-taì means literall: t8)se t8at stan' *: t8e r)a's an'9resent a 98en)men)n a99earin. in t8e mi'C45t8 0ent-r: "er*ia'-rin. a series )/ +ars Wen'in. +it8 !!4X in +8i08 man: villa.esl)st maj)rit: )/ t8eir male in8a*itants +8) 'ie' )n *attle>el's an'

+ere *-rie' at -nn)+n l)0ati)ns< Kraj9-taì are stri0tl: s9eain.n)t t)m*st)nes *-t sim9le m)n-ments 'e'i0ate' t) t8e s)-ls )/t8)se +8) 'ie' else+8ere, an attem9t )/ t8eir /amilies t) 0alm t8eirs-erin. an' s-99lement t8e la0 )/ i'enti>e' .raves< Kraj9-taìare n)t l)0ate' in t8e .rave:ar's *-t *: t8e r)a's in )r'er t)esta*lis8 s)me meta98)ri0al 08annel )/ 0)mm-ni0ati)n +it8 s)me'istant l)0ati)n +8ere t8ese s)l'iers 'ie'<

&% ;re'ra. Mil)savljević, 9re/< 0at, )easant Tom*stones in er*ia, -.)slavija, Bel.ra'e, 4567<



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material, *-t *: a 9r)minent >.-re )/ m)'ern Y-.)slav 9aintin.,;re'ra. Mil)savljević66<

I/ it +as Krle\a +8) 9r)m)te' t8e interest in B)snian steci, +8i08+ere resear08e' )nl: 9artiall: *e/)re t8e !!3, later s08)lars +8)

+r)te )n t8ese t)m*st)nes an' t8eir 8ist)ri0al 0)nte?t em98asise't8at t8e steci re9resent r-ral s)0ial )r.ani(ati)n an' 0-lt-re +8i08+as sit-ate' at t8e *)r'erline )/ instit-ti)nal G8ristianit: an'*el)n.in. t) ar08ai0 /)l *elie/s an' rit-als< T8e: 0arr: int8emselves a le.a0: )/ a 9)stCB:(antine +)rl', an' t8e: 8ave *eenm)st 0)mm)nl: i'enti>e' +it8 t8e *elie/s an' 0-st)ms )/ t8eB).)mils, a &n)sti0 se0t )ri.inatin. in B-l.aria in t8e 42t8 0ent-r:t8at settle' in B)snia sin0e t8e 43t8 0ent-r:< Alt8)-.8 t8e 'ire0t0)nne0ti)n )/ t8e B)snian G8-r08 +it8 t8e B).)mils is 9artl:'is9-te', s08)lars, in0l-'in. Krle\a, 0laim t8at t8e steci re@e0t a

re.i)nal WB)snianX 0-lt-ral 98en)men)n rat8er t8an *el)n.in. t) a9arti0-lar /ait8< M)st im9)rtantl: /)r Krle\a#s esta*lis8in. )/ a'istant 8ist)ri0al linea.e /)r Y-.)slav i'entit:, lea'in. a-t8)rities int8is >le' )/ resear08 0)n0l-'e' t8at t8e steci t)m*st)nes +ere a0)mm)n tra'iti)n am)n.st Gat8)li0, Ort8)')? an' B)snian G8-r08/)ll)+ers alie<67

B)snian 08-r08 8a' n) territ)rial )r.ani(ati)n an' it 'ealt 9rimaril:+it8 atten'in. rit-als )/ *-rials< T8e 08-r08es +ere m)stl: +))'en8-ts s) )nl: a n-m*er )/ ne0r)9)lises Wm)stl: in B)snia, *-t s)mein "er*ia an' M)ntene.r)X +it8 0arve' sla*s )/ st)ne testi/: t)e?isten0e )/ t8ese rit-als< T8e +)r' steak W %l< steć0iX itsel/ is a0)ntra0te' /)rm )/ t8e )l'er +)r' sto4eak , +8i08 is 'erive' /r)mt8e ver* sta4ati Wt) stan'X< It literall: means gt8e stan'in. t8in.g an'it re.-larl: re9resents >.-res in -9ri.8t 9)siti)ns< T8e m)sta99re0iate' /eat-res )/ t8eirs are 'e0)rative m)ti/s Ws9irals,r)settes, vine leaves, s-ns an' 0res0ent m))ns, et0<X an' >.-ralm)ti/s in0l-'in. m)st /am)-sl:, t8e ima.e )/ t8e man +it8 8is ri.8t

&& 0redra# 0ed;a Milosavl;ević (1)*+1)5- was a Serbian painter and a writer!e was also a diplomat and member of various cultural committees in socialist

/u#oslavia

&4 G-lt-ral 9)li0: t8at 9r)m)te' interest in t8ese t)m*st)nesinitiate' si.ni>0ant s08)larl: resear08 res-ltin. in a n-m*er )/st-'ies /r)m t8e 72s an' t8e =2s< T8e lea'in. a-t8)rities +ereMari)n !en(el W %ecorative motifs on tom*stones from &edieval /osnia and

surrounding regions, $eselin Masle`a, "arajev), 4576X an' he>Be`la.ić Wte ci – 7ultura i umjetnost , $eselin Masle`a, 453X<



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8an' raise' /r)m a n-m*er )/ t)m*st)nes in t8e *i..est me'ievalne0r)9)lis in Her(e.)vina, in Ra'imlja< T8is m)ti/ +as literall:re9eate' in a 9aintin. *: La(ar $-jalija W&om%osition – Steak ,4561X t8at !r)*le+si m-st 8ave seen as 8e menti)ne' a 9aintin.)/ a man 0)nsistin. )/ a 8ea' an' )-tstret08e' arms +it8 im9l)rin.

8an's in t8e 9ara.ra98 )n $-jalija in 8is Y-.)slavian n)tes<6=

I0)n).ra98: )/ t8e steci an' s-*se-ent 9easant t)m*st)nesmi.8t *e /elt an' -n'erst))' as a /)rm )/ n)nCver*al0)mm-ni0ati)n *et+een t8e m)rtal e?isten0e )/ t8e 'e0ease' an't8e 0)mm-nit: )/ t8e livin. 0)n>rmin. t8e s-00ess/-l )-t0)me )//-nerar: rit-als< A t)m*st)ne is a re9la0ement /)r t8e livin. *)': )/t8e 'e0ease', its es08at)l).i0al ')99el.an.er, testi/:in. a*)-tt8e '-al nat-re )/ t8e 8-man s)-l 9assin. /r)m its *)'il: realit: int)t8e +)rl' )/ its 'ivine eternit:<6 "im9li>e' vis-al lan.-a.e )/ t8ese

t)m*st)nes is *ase' )n 'e0)rative st:lisati)n )/ >.-res, /a0es an'nat-ral )rnaments< T8eir @atness an' %resentness are /)rmal/eat-res re0).ni(e' /)r t8eir sim%licit. an' intensit. Wan' +it8 t8esame +)r's !r)*le+si 'es0ri*e' $-jalija#s +)rX an' em9l):e'/)r an interventi)n in t8e esta*lis8e' artC8ist)ri0al narratives< It 8as*een 0)mm)nl: ar.-e' t8at t8e B:(antine i0)ni0it: a99eale' t)s)me a*stra0t 9ainters as an alternative t) t8e narrativit: )/+estern 9i0t)rial tra'iti)n65< H)+ever, in t8e 0ase +e are 'ealin.+it8 8ere, it +as n)t )nl: t8e /)rmal a99eal t8at +as at stae, it +asals) an iss-e )/ re%resentation< As i0)ni0it: mi.8t *e a m)'el /)r

a*stra0ti)n t8at ')es n)t 'e>ne its i'entit: *: a99eal t) a 8ist)ri0alnarrative72, t8e st:li(e' realism )/ t8e t)m*st)nes >.-res a0te'as a re9resentati)nal m)'el +8i08 is n)t )nl: at t8e mar.ins )/ t8e

&5 An'r(ej !r)*le+si, N)tati -.)sl)+iansie, )rzegl ,d

Art0st0czn0, 4567, n)< , 9< 7–=<

& 7elena Crdel;an, DSteEci F po#led na ikono#rafi;u narodne po#rebne umetnosti na .alkanu,

8*ornik &atice srpske za likovne umetnosti, $2+$$, 2**2, pp 1*5+12*

&) F)r e?am9le, Ameri0an m)'ernist 0riti0 )se98 Mas8e0 8astaen /)r .rante' t8at t8ere is a 9arallel *et+een M)'ernist9aintin.s an' B:(antine i0)ns< His -sa.e )/ t8e term i0)ni0it:relates t) )-r, m)'ern, e?9erien0e )/ B:(antine art /)rms, an' /)r8im an i0)n 0an *e 0)nsi'ere' as a 9ara'i.m )/ )r.ani(ati)n an'meanin. in a*stra0t art< )se98 Mas8e0, I0)ni0it:, in Historical

)resent – +ssa0s of the !"93s, %MI ;ress, Ann Ar*)r, 45, 99< 325–33<



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esta*lis8e' narratives )/ art 8ist)r: *-t als) )-tsi'e t8e0)n>nements )/ *)t8 nat-ralism an' /)rmalism< In 'evel)9in. t8e0)n0e9t )/ 'ire0t realism )r *are realism, !r)*le+si state' int8e late 452s t8at t8is ne+ realism 'iers /r)m /)rmalism *: itse?traaest8eti0 0)ntent an' /r)m nat-ralism W)r )l' realismX *:

/)rmalist means )/ e?9ressi)n<74 It ma: *e ar.-e' t8at in t8et)m*st)nes 8e en0)-ntere', !r)*le+si /)-n' a 9araC8ist)ri0al9re0e'ent /)r 8is a99r)a08, as t8ere is n) /)rmal )r aest8eti00)8eren0e t8at 0an *e tra0e' )r re9eate' 8ere, *-t a 0-ri)-s sense)/ /)rmalit: in e?9ressin. 0ertain 0)ntent<

T8ere are n) ')-*ts t8at t8e 0)ntent 8ere is n)t8in. else t8endeath< T8is is an -ltimatel: an' intimatel: s8are' 0)ntent, as *)t8-niversal an' s-*je0tive, an' it /)rmall: +)rs in a00)r'an0e t) astatement !r)*le+si ma'e alrea': in 45 in +8i08 8e 'e0lares

8is .)al t) a08ieve an -nam*i.-)-s m)'e )/ 9aintin., meanin.t8at t8e 0)ntent )/ t8e e?9erien0e is in a00)r'an0e +it8 +8at Ie?9e0t, an' is t8e same /)r ea08 vie+er<73 !r)*le+si#s 'eat8'rive 0an *e 'ire0tl: s-mme' -9 in a senten0e /r)m a letter t) 8is+i/e /r)m 4561 +8en 8e asserte' I 0)nstantl: 0arr: 'eat8 +it8me<71 T8e artist s-ere' /r)m t8e e9ile9s: an' t8e a+areness )/t8e 0l)seness )/ 'eat8 '-rin. t8e sei(-res +8en 8e +as l)sin.0)ntr)l )ver 8is *)':, *e0ame an )mni9resent 9art )/ 8is li/e an'm)st 9r)*a*l: t8e literal 0a-se )/ 8is 'eat8 '-rin. t8e 8ie in t8e Tatra m)-ntains in Mar08 456=< T8is illness, *-t als) )t8er

'iU0-lties in attainin. /-n0ti)nal relati)ns, a00)m9anie' a 0)m9le?

4* As =avid arrier points out, Mashecks #oal is neither to assert that the abstract artists of our time

are influenced b" the .">antines nor to impl" that abstract art is inevitabl" spiritualH rather, he seeks amodel for abstraction that does not define its identit" b" appeal to a historical narrative = arrier,

Artwriting , Iniversit" of Massachusetts 0ress, Amherst, 1)5, p )

41 Andr>e; Wroblewski, JKew 'ealismL, in Andrzej ro*lewski – To the &arginsand /ack , p 4)

42 An'r(ej !r)*le+si, "tatement )n t8e 4st E?8i*iti)n )/ M)'ernArt, -*id < 99< 12C13<

4$ _-)te' in )anna K)r'jaC;i)tr)+sa, B)': an' melan08)l:< T8elate +)rs )/ An'r(ej !r)*le+si, -*id , 9< 443<



3

3

an' a99arentl: -ite severe m))' )/ melan08)l:< His letters revealstan'ar' s:m9t)ms )/ 'e9ressi)n an' 8is +)r in t8e last t+) :ears)/ 8is li/e )er m)tives in +8i08 t8is melan08)li0 0)ntent ise?9resse'< T8e m)st striin. series )/ +)rs /r)m 4567 an' 456=are 8is en08aire' >.-res +8i08 -nam*i.-)-sl: in'i0ate a

'e9ressive entra99in. )/ t8e s-*je0t, im9)ssi*ilit: t) m)ve, t) .et-9 – a s-*je0t la0in. a +ill an' 'eeme' t) +ait< A re/eren0e 0)-l'*e /)-n' in 8is 9revi)-s realisti0 re9resentati)ns )/ +aitin. r))msan' -e-es, *-t als) in 8is *est n)+n e?e0-ti)n series +8ere t8es-s9ensi)n )/ time in t8e 9r)0ess )/ +aitin. is 'ire0tl: 0)nne0te' t)'eat8<

It seems t8at t8e t)m*st)nes 8e sa+ in Bel.ra'e 9r)vi'e'!r)*le+si +it8 a m)'el )/ t8is tem9)ral s-s9ensi)n, an' a m)'elt) *e /)-n' )n t8e mar.ins )/ 0-lt-ral narratives an' artisti0 val-es<

!r)*le+si i'enti>e' +it8 t8is )-tsi'ers# 0reativit: in a ver: 'ire0t+a:, $nam/ig$o$sl. < He sense' a relati)ns8i9 *et+een t8e-niversall: s8are' e?9erien0e an' s)me /ra.ile mar.inalit: )r'istressin. 9arti0-larit:< He /)-n' an air )/ eerie )9timism in 8)+t8e 'ea' +ere re9resente' )n t8ese st)nes >.-res 9)ssess anin/antile -alit: )/ v)i'in. t8em )/ an: sentimentalit: in t8e9resen0e )/ 'eat8< Deat8 is 9resente' as a motionless %resence an't8is 9resen0e remains a 9art )/ )-r +)rl'< As )99)se' t) /-nerar:mass +8ere e:es )/ t8e 'e0ease' are eit8er s8-t )r 8)ll)+e', 8eret8e >.-res .a(e -9)n -s +it8 e:es +i'e )9en< In an em*lemati0

+)r t8at !r)*le+si ma'e a/ter 8is Y-.)slavian tri9 Wa .)-a08etitle' 5$neralX, t8e artist is 9)rtra:e' as la:in. in t8e 0)Un +it8e:es +i'e )9en – t8e e:es *ein. t8e last relati)n )/ t8e 0)r9se +it8t8e livin. *)':, as it is in t8e m)st )/ t8e 9easants# t)m*st)nes 8esa+<7 As )anna K)r'jaC;i)tr)+sa 8as inter9rete' it, t8is ir)ni0')-*leCsi'e' reli.i)-s ima.e /alls +ell +it8in a series )/re9resentati)ns in +8i08 t8e artist 'e9i0ts 8imsel/ as a 'ea' man )r)ne )/ t8e livin. 'ea'#<76

4% T8is +)r s8)-l' *e 9rimaril: inter9rete' in relati)n t) 8is9ers)nal 'ilemma 8)+ t) 9-rs-e 8is 9)liti0al stan0e in t8e 0)nte?t)/ t8e thaw< T8e >.-re +it8 )9en e:es in t8e 0)Un 8)l's a star an' asi0le in 8is 8an's an' t8is +)r 1:uneral4 W0)lle0ti)n )/ Nati)nalM-se-m in Kra+X 8as t) *e rea' in a 'ire0t anal).: +it8 t8e te?tG)n/essi)ns )/ a 'is0re'ite' /)rmer 0)mm-nist#< In -*id , 99< 52C5<

4& )anna K)r'jaC;i)tr)+sa, B)': an' melan08)l:< <<, 9< 42=<



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In t8e set08*)) t8at 8e >lle' -9 '-rin. 8is Y-.)slavian j)-rne:,!r)*le+si ma'e a /e+ set08es )/ t)m*st)nes /r)m t8eEt8n).ra98i0 m-se-m< ")me )/ t8ese set08es +ere a99arentl:-se' /)r a 9aintin. !r)*le+si ma'e in t8e +inter )/ 4567= title'6he 6om/stone of the 7omani+er <77 H)+ever, at t8at time

!r)*le+si +as m)stl: -sin. 08ea9er materials t8at +ere als) m)rea99r)9riate /)r 8is artisti0 stan0e an' 9ers)nal sel/Cre@e0ti)n at t8attime m)st )/ t8e +)rs /r)m t8is 9eri)' are .)-a08es, +ater0)l)-rsan' m)n)t:9es, 8avin. an -na99ealin. an' ja..e' 08ara0ter<Interestin.l:, !r)*le+si )nl: starte' 8is m)n)t:9e +)rs a/ter 8is Y-.)slav j)-rne:< In s)me )/ 8is last +)rs )n 9a9er, t8e set08es )/ t)m*st)nes 8e ma'e in t8e Bel.ra'e Et8n).ra98i0 m-se-m +eretrans/)rme' t) 0reate a less ar08ai0, less 'e0)rative an' a m)reimme'iate an' a-stere vis-al -alit:, mer.in. em)ti)nal 'es)lati)n+it8 0ari0at-ral 9la:/-lness< In a +ater0)l)-r.)-a08e 8reen

6om/stone, t8e >.-re 0len08es 8is 8an's +8ilst 8is /a0e taes a0ari0at-ral e?9ressi)n )/ sa'ness, as i/ in a sel/Cir)ni0al .est-re )/ amelan08)li0all: ri''en sel/C9)rtrait-re< In an)t8er .)-a08eW6om/stonesX, t8ree >.-res Wa man, a +)man an' a 08il'X are j)ine't).et8er t) mae *)t8 ir)ni0 an' 9)i.nant re9resentati)n )/ a/amil:, as )ne )/ !r)*le+si#s +a:s t) 0)9e +it8 'iU0-lties in 8isli/e es9e0iall: a/ter t8e *irt8 )/ t8ree 08il'ren in 456 an' 4566< Itseems t8at it +as t8e marrie' li/e +it8 08il'ren W+8i08 als) marst8e 9eri)' )/ 8is >nan0ial 'iU0-ltiesX t8at 0)ntri*-te' t) t8e /eelin.)/ entra9ment an' t8e t8reat )/ rei>e' 8-man relati)ns, an' 8is

Y-.)slav tri9 9resente' a *rea t) re@e0t t8is an?iet:<

An' 9er8a9s it is t8e 0)m9le? n)ti)n )/ rei'cation t8at mi.8t als)s9arle !r)*le+si#s interest in t)m*st)nes< T8is n)ti)n ma: 8aveits -nam*i.-)-s vis-al re9resentati)n in 8is en08aire' >.-res as+ell as in 8is t)m*st)nes, *: 'ealin. +it8 t8e trans/)rmati)n )/t8e animate int) inanimate, )/ t8e s-*je0t int) t8e )*je0t< H)+ever,t8is n)ti)n 8as im9)rtant 98il)s)98i0al an' i'e)l).i0al -n'er9innin.an' it +as 'is0-sse' in t8at time 9rimaril: *e0a-se )/ t8e in@-en0e)/ &e)r. L-a0s +8) +as +i'el: rea' in s)0ialist 0)-ntries in t8at

44 T8is +)r 'eserves 9arti0-lar attenti)n, as it is t8e )nl: lar.er+)r t8at ma: /)r 0ertain relate t) 8is Y-.)slav e?9erien0e< T8e0r)ssCs8a9e' >.-re mer.in. t8e i0)n).ra98: )/ a 0r-0i>? +it8 are/eren0e t) )ne )/ t8e t)m*st)nes 8e set08e' in Bel.ra'e 8)l's a9)le +it8 a @a. resem*lin. t8e ;)lis8 @a. +it8 t8e inserte' *l-etrian.le s) t) re/er als) t) t8e Y-.)slav @a.< Besi'e t8e >.-re t8ereare 'e9i0te' t+) 'isem*)'ie' /emale le.s an' s)me )t8er +)rs )/8is at t8e time 'is9la: 0ertain an?iet: +it8 se?-al relati)ns, m)stn)ta*l: The lovers /r)m 4567 )r Chaired oman /r)m 456=<



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37

time, an' )n several )00asi)ns -)te' *: !r)*le+si +8) +asin@-en0e' *: 8is Mar?ist 98il)s)98:< L-a0s /-rt8er 'evel)9e' t8eMar?ian 0)n0e9t )/ 9erdinglich$ng,7= as a /)rm )/ alienati)n in t8ea0t W)r res-lt )/ t8e a0tX )/ trans/)rmin. 8-man 9r)9erties, relati)nsan' a0ti)ns int) 9r)9erties, *-t als) trans/)rmati)n )/ 8-man *ein.s

int) t8in.lie *ein.s< As 08ara0teristi0 /)r 0a9italism, rei>0ati)n is ares-lt )/ a ')minan0e )/ 0)mm)'it: e?08an.e as a 9rimar: m)'e )/ interCs-*je0tive a.en0:< A9art /r)m 8is 9ers)nal tr)-*les, it isim9)rtant t) n)te t8at t8e m)ti/ )/ rei>0ati)n ar)se in t8e time )/!r)*le+si#s 0riti0ism )/ t8e s9irit )/ t8e t8a+, +8i08, in a'is.-ise' /)rm )/ e0)n)mi0 an' 9)liti0al li*erali(ati)n, *r)-.8ts)0ial relati)ns alien /)r a tr-e 0)mm-nist, relati)ns *ase' )n/etis8i(ati)n )/ 0)mm)'it:C/)rm an' 'esires /)r a 0)ns-merist'reamC+)rl'< In an )/tenC-)te' 9assa.e /r)m a letter t) 8is /rien't8e 'ire0t)r An'r(ej !aj'a, !r)*le+si ir)ni0all: 0)mmente' t8at

t8e t8a+ 9eri)' )9ens t) a l)ss )/ all aims in li/e e?0e9t /)r /))'an' entertainment<7

Unambiguous notes

At t8e time )/ !r)*le+si#s visit, Y-.)slavia +as -n'er.)in. its9eri)' )/ t8a+ in +8i08 t8e la0 )/ 9)liti0al li*erties +as0)m9ensate' *: .ra'-al intr)'-0ti)n )/ 0)ntr)lle' maret e0)n)m:an' s)0ial t)leran0e t)+ar's 0)ns-merist 'reamC+)rl' ma'eattra0tive *: t8e !estern 9)9-lar 0-lt-re an' entertainment<75 Interestin.l:, !r)*le+si +as n)t at all resistant t) its @av)-rs, as8e in'i0ate' in 8is n)te*)) t8at -9)n 8is arrival t) Y-.)slavia 8e+ent t) see a H)ll:+))' >lm an' als) a /e+ 'a:s a/ter Maje+saan' 8im 'an0e' in a 9)9-lar ja(( *ar in Lj-*ljana< I/ rei>0ati)n 8as

45 "ee &e)r. L-a0s, Rei>0ati)n an' t8e G)ns0i)-sness )/ t8e;r)letariat W4531X,8tt9+++<mar?ists<)r.ar08ivel-a0s+)rs8ist)r:80026<8tm

4 As -)te' in )anna K)r'jaC;i)tr)+sa, B)': an' melan08)l:<,9< 427<

4) "ee Branislav Dimitrijević, ")(ialistis08er K)ns-mism-s,$er+estli08-n. -n' -lt-relle Re9r)'-ti)n< Der^9)st)mm-nisti08es *er.an. im -.)sla+ien Tit)s, 8ur :ck aus der

8ukunft – Osteurop;ische 7ulturen im 8eitalter des )ostkommunismus, WB< &r):s,A< v)n 'er Hei'en, ;< !ei*el e'<X, "-8ram9 $erla., Fran/-rt, 3226<



3=

3=

0)me t) 0)nstit-te a se0)n' nat-re )/ t8e s-*je0t, +e ma:s9e0-late -9)n !r)*le+si#s )+n str-..le +it8 t8is se0)n' nat-re,8is attem9t t) 9reserve 8is *elie/s +8en 0)n/r)nte' *: 8is )+n+eaness t) s-00-m* t) s)0ial an' 9)liti0al 'eta08ments08ara0teristi0 /)r t8e 9eri)' )/ t8e t8a+< "imilar .)es /)r a

'is0re9an0: *et+een 8is )+n s-s9i0i)ns a*)-t t8e initiate' re/)rmsan' 8is )-ts9)en 0a9a0it: t) +el0)me an' s-99)rt t8e 08an.es inO0t)*er 4567, as 0)-l' *e 0)n>rme' in t8e menti)ne' Bel.ra'eintervie+ +8ere 8e a0te' as a semiC)U0ial )/ t8e ;)lis8 .)vernment8ailin. ne+ 9)liti0al 9r)0esses< T8e 0ase )/ !r)*le+si s8)+s 8)+0)m9le? is t8e relati)n *et+een t8e 9ers)nal an' t8e 9)liti0al, an'8)+ 'iU0-lt it +as /)r a sensitive an' 8i.8l: intelli.ent artist t)9reserve 8is )+n 'istin0tiveness in t8e +)rl' +8ere t8ere +ere )nl:9)lari(e' 9)siti)ns eit8er :)- +ere a 0)nservative s)0ialist realist)r a 9r).ressive m)'ernist, eit8er +as :)-r art 'is0i9line' *: a

')0trinarian 'e0ree )r it 9resente' a 'e9art-re /r)m an: s)0ial0)n0erns an' a rat8er s-9er>0ial -n'erstan'in. )/ 0reative /ree')m)/ e?9ressi)n lea'in. t) a m)stl: 'e0)rative -n'erstan'in. )/a*stra0ti)n<=2

Finall:, !r)*le+si 8a' 8is t+) nat-res 9rimaril: in 8is t+)9ers)nal an' s)0ial r)les )ne )/ t8e artist str-..lin. a.ainst 8is )+nrei>0ati)n an' )ne )/ t8e 0riti0 +ritin. /)r t8e lea'in. art j)-rnal in;)lan' )/ t8e times, *r+egl,d -rt.st.c+n. , as )ne )/ t8e 9r)ta.)nists)/ 9-*li0 li/e in ;)lan'< His assessment )/ Y-.)slav art )/ t8e times

in a te?t 9-*lis8e' imme'iatel: a/ter 8is visit -n'er t8e title<$goslavian notes 9resents an e?-isite assessment n)t )nl: )/artists +8)se +)r 8e revie+e', *-t als) )/ t8e )verall sit-ati)n )/art in Y-.)slavia )/ t8e 4562s<=4 !r)*le+si#s a99r)a08 mana.esn)t t) *)il ')+n an artisti0 revie+ t) a 'eta08e' anal:sis an', )nt8e 0)ntrar:, it s8)+s 'ire0t inv)lvement +it8 artists t8emselves *:main. strai.8t/)r+ar' 0)mments a*)-t t8eir 9ers)nalities an's)0ial stat-s< ;arti0-larl: in t8ese terms t8is te?t is in'is9ensa*le /)ra resear08er )/ Y-.)slav m)'ernist art as it s9eas a lan.-a.e t8at+)-l' n)t *e entirel: 9)ssi*le t) *e a')9te' *: l)0al 0riti0s +8)

+ere 'ee9l: inv)lve' in a net+)r )/ a0-aintan0es an' -na*le t)

5* F)r a 0)m9re8ensive anal:sis see ;i)tr ;i)tr)+si, -n the hadow of

;alta< Art and the Avant'(arde in +astern +urope !"#$'!"=", L)n')n, 3225<

51 An'r(ej !r)*le+si, N)tati -.)sl)+iansie



3

3

mae 0)mments )-tsi'e )/ t8e narr)+ 0)n>nements )/ a +)ranal:sis<=3

") +e 0an rea' /r)m !r)*le+si t8at t8e mem*ers )/ t8eDe0em*er .r)-9 are /as8i)na*le 9ainters an' t8e 0-rrent

elite[ t8at Mi)'ra. ;r)tić, )t8er+ise )*serve' as t8e 0r-0ial >.-re)/ esta*lis8e' m)'ernism in "er*ian art, is a0t-all: n)t inn)vative,)r 9er8a9s n)t even a0t-all: m)'ern< E') M-rtić=1, t8e main9r)ta.)nist )/ 'e0)rative m)'ernism )n t8e Gr)atian s0ene is9er0eive' as militant, /-ll )/ tem9erament, *)t8 in art an' li/e an'as -i0l: .ainin. +i'e 9)9-larit:, .))' 9ress, an' a .))'9)siti)n F)r t8e "l)venian m)'ernist Marij ;re.elj= 8e +r)te!8ile eliminatin. t8e imitati)n )/ nat-re /r)m 8is 9aintin., ;re.elj/-ll: retains an imitative 9alette an' 9aintin. met8)'< T8is mi.8t *e.))', an' mi.8t n)t *e .))' – t) -se t8e st:le )/ &)m*r)+i0(<

T8e revie+ *e.ins +it8 assessment )/ t8e m)st 9r)minent Y-.)slavartist )/ t8e time, ;etar L-*ar'a=6, +8)se +)rs 8e 08ara0terise' as-n/)r.etta*le an' 9)+er/-l *-t as +ritin. t8e last, rat8er t8an

52 It 8as *een m)stl: t8e 0ase t8at s)me 9ainters t8emselves +ereals) art 0riti0s – +it8 a 9arti0-lar e?am9le )/ Mi)'ra. ;r)tić<H)+ever, in )r'er n)t t) )en' an:)ne in a narr)+ artisti0 s0ene )/a0-aintan0es, it rarel: 8a99ene' t8at a m)re 'ire0t 0riti0al

j-'.ement +as 9asse' in l)0al art 0riti0ism at t8e time<

5$ Cdo Murtić (1)21+2**&- was one of the central fi#ures of l"ric abstraction in

roatian and /u#oslav art !is paintin# were mostl" inspired b" the sensual

experiences of the Mediterranean !e was the first /u#oslav artist who #ot the state

stipend to visit ISA in the earl" 1)&*s

5% Mari; 0re#el; (1)1$+1)45- was a Slovenian modernist painter, book illustrator andmosaic artist

5& 0etar :ubarda (1)*5+1)5%- was a Montene#rin painter who was a central

personalit" in the Serbian art scene of the 1)&*s and 1)4*s !is paintin# are mostl"

based on visual explorations of Montene#rin landscapes and often inspired b"

national histories and m"ths !e created a uniue st"le that also suited the tastes of the

political elite so his paintin#s became omnipresent as decoration of official

institutions and buildin#s ritics heralded his 1)&* exhibition in .el#rade as the first

example of an artistic break with the do#ma of socialist realism



35

35

t8e ne+ 08a9ters )/ art< L-*ar'a#s e?travert +)r is 0)ntraste'+it8 t8e +)r )/ t8e "l)venian &a*riel "t-9i0a=7 +8)se intr)vert an''arl: l:ri0al +)rs /r)m t8at 9eri)' im9resse' !r)*le+si /)r t8eirs-00ess/-ll: a08ieve' 'ire0tness in 0)nve:in. t8e 9ers)nal,em)ti)nal )vert)nes== H)+ever, in t8e revie+ 8e )9enl: state'

t8at it +as La(ar $-jalija +8) +as -n-esti)na*l: t8e m)stre+ar'in. 9ainter, as a s-*je0t /)r t8e 0riti0, t8e 0ra/tsman +8)0)m*ines t8e 9r)9ensit: /)r -niversal 98il)s)98isin. +it8 a sim9leC8earte' 0)mm)n sense< Yet, !r)*le+si ')es n)t e?9li0itl: re/er t)B)snian t)m*st)ne t8at ins9ire' $-jalija#s +)r, an' t8at 0an *et8en line' t) !r)*le+si#s )+n /)ll)risti0 interests< ")me -nease0)-l' *e 'ete0te' in 'ealin. +it8 t8e tren' )/ -sin. /)ll)risti0ima.es as 9atterns /)r m)'ernist 9aintin. an' s0-l9t-re in Y-.)slavian art, an' +8i08 +as, as +e alrea': 0)n0l-'e', a res-lt )/ a /e'eral 0-lt-ral 9)li0:< !r)*le+si#s interest in /)ll)re +as a 9art

)/ 8is artisti0 resear08 – s)met8in. meanin./-l in 'ealin. +it8 8is)+n 9ers)nal 'em)ns an' t8e int-itivel: /elt 0l)seness t) 'eat8 –an' n)t 9rimaril: a 'e0)rative m)'el as em9l):e' *: $-jalija an's)me )t8er Y-.)slav 9ainters<

In /a0t, t8at 0an *e 0)n0l-'e' /r)m a 9ara.ra98 8e 'e'i0ates t) t8ein@-ential +)r )/ Krst) He.e'-ìć, t8e 9ainter )/ )l'er .enerati)nn)+n als) as t8e 0)C/)-n'er )/ t8e .r)-9 Zemlja W")ilX in Za.re* in453 +8)se name a9tl: 'es0ri*es its /)l an' nati)nals:m9at8ies, as !r)*le+si 9-t it< He.e'-ìć +as 0l)se t) Krle\a#s

vie+9)ints in reje0tin. *)t8 s)0ialist realism an' m)'ernistten'en0ies t)+ar's a*stra0ti)n, in /av)-r )/ an i'entiterian in-ir:int) l)0al /)ll)risti0 tra'iti)ns )/ re9resentati)nal art<= H)+ever,t8is reje0ti)n *e0ame /-ll: instit-ti)nali(e' in t8e 4562s, an' n)t)nl: as an i'e)l).i0al 9l): *-t als) in a ver: 9ra.mati0 sense )/maretin. t8e s) 0alle' nadve 9aintin. +8i08 !r)*le+si ta0le'+8en menti)nin. t8at He.e'-ì] +as t8e /)-n'er )/ t8e Hle*inas08))l< T8is s08))l *rin.s t).et8er 9easants +8)se talent +as'is0)vere' an' 9r)te0te' /r)m st-'ie' art *: He.e'-ìć< T8e

54 Gabri;el Stupica (1)1$+1))*- was a leadin# modernist painter in Slovenia !is

fi#urative st"le had dark and existentialist overtones in the 1)&*s, and b" the end of

that decade he entered the phase of his best+known white paintin#s to which he also

applied different materials and textual references !e was a professor at the :;ubl;ana

Art Academ", where he was twice elected as a dean until his retirement in 1)55

55 "in.lin. )-t t8ese t) 9ainters s8)+ 8)+ im9e00a*le +as 8issensitivit: t) re0).ni(e t8ese t+) maj)r >.-res )/ Y-.)slavian art int8e 4562s<



12

12

nadve 9aintin. 8as *e0)me )ne )/ t8e m)st 9r)m)te' t:9e )/ artt8at +as s9ee'il: .ainin. maret es9e0iall: in t8e 4572s n)ta*l:am)n.st t8e /)rei.n 'i9l)mats +8) tr-ste' t8is art t) *e s)met8in.a-t8enti0all: Y-.)slavian< F)r !r)*le+si it +as 'iU0-lt t)eval-ate t8e res-lts )/ t8)se )U0ial 9rimitives< T8eir 9aintin.s )n

.lass are n)t /-ll: satis/a0t)r: as 9r)'-0ts )/ /)l art< !it8 s)mee?0e9ti)ns WEmeri Feje`X t8e: rat8er resem*le )-r )+n res-lts+it8 amate-rCartists<

!r)*le+si s8)+e' 0riti0al sensitivit: t)+ar' -ltimatel: 9)liti0al :etals) 0)mmer0ial as9e0ts )/ t8e 9r)m)ti)n )/ /)ll)ri0 tra'iti)ns+it8in t8e 'is0)-rse )/ m)'ernist art in Y-.)slavia< His )+n/as0inati)n +it8 t8ese tra'iti)ns 0las8e' +it8 8is a+areness )/ t8eir9)liti0al instr-mentalisati)n an' t8eir m)stl: 'e0)rative intenti)ns<As +e alrea': 9)inte' )-t, !r)*le+si +as a99arentl: intereste' in

$-jalija an' n)ta*l: 8is ren'iti)n )/ me'ieval t)m*st)nes, as 8e+as s)me+8at intereste' in L-)vić an' 8is 0ir0-s s0enes Walt8)-.8n)t menti)nin. t8is artist in 8is te?tX, +8i08 mi.8t seem )*vi)-s i/+e see a 0)-9le )/ m)n)t:9es W&.rk , 3e+d+iecX +8ere 8e -ses similarm)ti/s *-t +it8 m-08 m)re 0-ri)-s res-lts< Als), 8is ima.es'e9i0tin. *)ats an' s8i9s ma: als) re/er t) 8is Y-.)slav tri9, *-tt8eir is)late' l)neliness als) seems t:9i0all: !r)*le+sian< Finall:,t8e Y-.)slav tri9 )n0e a.ain s9are' in 8is +)r t8e m)ti/s )/ *-s'rivers l))e' /r)m t8e *a0, ima.es t8at als) re/er t) 0ertain-neasiness +it8 t8e ver: '-rati)n )/ time an' t8e 9)siti)n )/ t8e

9assivit: )/ t8e s-*je0t< !r)*le+si#s 0riti0al s9irit an' 8is)ver+8elmin. melan08)l: +ere main as9e0ts )/ 8is artisti09ers)nalit: an' t8e Y-.)slav e?9erien0e 0)n/r)nte' +it8 *)t8 )/t8ese as9e0ts an' in@-en0e' t8e last 08a9ter )/ 8is +)r inanti0i9ati)n )/ 8is 9remat-re 'eat8<

5 F)r a 'etaile' resear08 )n0)m9le? artisti0C9)liti0al 'e*ates )n t8e Gr)atian s0ene )/ t8e4562s, see an )-tstan'in. st-': *: Ljiljana K)le`ni -zme= u istoka i

zapada – Hrvatska umjetnost i likovna kritika pedesetih godina, Instit-t (a9)vijest -mjetn)sti, Za.re*, 3227<

branko dimitrijevic - folklore, modernity and death

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