MILICA DUKIĆ (milicadukic.com)
Visual artist based in Kraljevo, Serbia. Her work, much like the pop-art and postmodernism movements, critiques modern consumer culture and mass production. She will develop the “Textile Newspapers” project, highlighting the overwhelming amount of visual material produced on daily bases, swiftly consumed, and even more quickly discarded. By randomly selecting daily issues from various countries, Milica creates a unique snapshot of the year they were printed, offering a distinct perspective for future reflection. What began as a critique of the deluge of visual information in daily press has evolved into a broader commentary on societal issues. Her work addresses the non-inclusivity of mass culture, the inclusiveness of contemporary art, and the creative benefits of participatory practices. Textile Newspapers workshops are insightful exploration of the intersection between art, inclusivity, and social critique, offering a new lens through which to view our daily visual consumption and its broader implications.
- MIlica Dukić residency is made possible with support from “Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans” (CC4WBs), implemented by UNESCO, funded by the European Union.
ANDRIJANA PAJOVIĆ (portfolio pdf)
Visual artist from Montenegro based in Belgrade, Serbia. Dedicated to exploring the status of women in Balkan society, rooted in patriarchal tradition. Despite apparent strides towards emancipation, true gender equality remains elusive, with this project she seeks to delve into these complexities. To cover various aspects of women’s lives in a patriarchal environment, including their roles in the family, education, the workplace, as well as social and political spheres. Her focus is on daily struggles, obstacles, and experiences, with a particular emphasis on inner reflections and challenges. During the residency Andrijana will conduct interviews with local women, gathering insights into their life stories, attitudes, and dreams. These interviews aim to reveal the specificities of their environment and the roles imposed on them. In addition to the interviews, she will conduct workshops on anthotype and cyanotype techniques, alongside a joint photo excursion. These activities will offer participants the opportunity to connect, explore their creativity, and express their stories and experiences through art, providing a safe space for sharing and community building.
- Andrijana Pajović residency is made possible with support from “Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans” (CC4WBs), implemented by UNESCO, funded by the European Union.
ALEX CLOSE (a-close.com)
Visual artist based in Struga, North Macedonia. Will continue her work on the “Slippery Terrain” series that features chaotic compositions using organic tones alongside bursts of color to disorient and destabilize the viewer, encouraging them to reassess what they see. Her works are composites of abstract forms and surface textures, reminiscent of sedimentary rocks, and allude to distant memories and speculative places. “Slippery Terrain” brings to mind several specific actions: a singer striving to hit a particular note; a pitcher throwing a ball to a batter; an employee offering a new project to their boss. Also suggests pitched tents and slippery slopes. The community in Višni will be a playground for visual exploration and intervention, applying sketches in a micro-environment. Thinking about the unrealistic desire to remember places and events with absolute clarity, she delves into the divided nature of memory, allowing fleeting impressions to compose imperfect but provocative images in her mind. Translating those memory maps into paintings, she reflects on the nature of the trust related to the images we encounter, not only in everyday life but also those preserved in our minds. Like a cherished memory reworked with each reminiscence, the compositions are approximate, ideas brought forth and slippery, somehow faithful and deceitful at the same time.
- Alex Close residency is made possible with support from “Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans” (CC4WBs), implemented by UNESCO, funded by the European Union.
Artist in the community, residency and development hub Vishni” is a project supported by UNESCO, implemented by Initiative for Independent Cultural Activism INCA Struga and Mini Pogon, Belgrade, through “Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans” (CC4WBs), project funded by the European Union that aims to foster dialogue in the Western Balkans by enhancing the cultural and creative sectors for increased socio-economic impact.
