Emergence of an artistic identity
Before 1918, the desire to create a common identity was already evident in the exhibitions of Serbian, Croatian and Slovenian artists. Later, under the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, the political power shows its desire to encourage a Yugoslav art. This impulse is personified by the artist Ivan Meštrović who appeals to historical tradition and medieval forms as in his work Kosovo Cycle. Yugoslav socialist modernism embarks on different paths, exploring new forms of expression. The avant-garde schools of Paris, Munich and Vienna mark these paths. One does not see for all that to take shape a current properly Yugoslav, nor a real identity. However, the bridge that was established between Yugoslav and Western art was called socialist modernism
Under Tito, the evolution is different from that of the other Eastern countries, probably because travelling is still possible. This openness allowed the young generation to organize themselves in Ljubljana, Belgrade or Zagreb and then, at the end of the 1960s, in Paris or Berlin. Rexhep Goçi, born in 1947 in Molliq, chose to study figurative art in Pristina and then in Brussels. Back in his country, he became an art teacher and president of the Association of Applied Artists of Pristina. The ethnic question dominates his pictorial work. He signed essays and reviews, most of the founding writings of the history of art in Kosovo
Trained in Belgrade and then in Ljubljana, Agim Çavdarbasha (1944-1999) had a determining influence on Kosovar art. This Albanian sculptor set up his studio in Čaglavica. Unfortunately, his studio was burned down like so many others during the 2004 conflicts. His sculptures are thrown into the water by the authorities. Rebuilt, the workshop houses the recently reopened Agim Çavdarbasha Workshop Museum. Among his creations, the bronzes of the landowner Ymer Prizreni and the deputy Abdyl Frashëri, both saved from the water, are presented in the Prizren League Museum. This historically oriented museum exhibits some photographs and paintings on the first floor
Postmodernism
Despite its rigors, the political context under Tito allowed the affirmation of radical approaches. Certain approaches remained prohibited, however, particularly those that criticized the regime and undermined fundamental values, fraternity and unity. The Yugoslav artists who prefer to censor themselves turn to more symbolic genres, inscribing themselves very early in a postmodernist will.
Abstract art, informal art, minimalist art, pop art and hyperrealism developed through the intermediary of local artists who frequented the main art centers abroad. Thus, in the 1970s-1980s, Belgrade, Zagreb, Ljubljana or Sarajevo emerged as epicenters of conceptual art.
Goran Đorđević, a Serbian artist from Kosovo born in 1950, occupies a prominent place in the avant-garde. His career took a turn when he joined the SKC Gallery, a Belgrade collective. He gradually abandoned the creative aspect without ceasing to gravitate to the contemporary art scene.
They are more isolated personalities than movements that participate in the development of the Kosovar culture
Muslim Mulliqi
A leading figure in Kosovar painting, Muslim Mulliqi (1934-1998) produced impressionist and then expressionist works. At the initiative of the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Kosovo, he pursued a teaching career in parallel with his exhibitions. His painting in bold colors is inspired by the Kosovar literature of the 1950s-1960s, but also by the symbolism of resistance that he saw in the kullas (fortified stone houses) of the Dukagjini plain. A similar approach is taken by his contemporaries, including Agim Çavdarbasha and Simon Shiroka
Such is the importance of Muslim Mulliqi that a contemporary art prize now bears his name. Every year, the Muslim Mulliqi Prize Exhibition awards a Kosovar or international artist. Some artists create a work specifically for the event, which is held at the National Art Gallery. The place aims to attract a wide audience by highlighting beautiful works, but also carrying a social or political message. Founded in 1979, the institution has benefited from the energy of the post-war period. Its collection, rich with a thousand works, covers all the currents of the avant-garde, from the 1960s to the present day. Most contemporary artists have perfected their techniques at the Faculty of Arts of the University of Pristina. This faculty, opened in the 1970s, associated with the creation of the National Gallery, gives greater autonomy to Kosovar artists, who were previously forced to turn to the artistic centers of the former Yugoslavia.
1990's
When Kosovo loses its autonomy, cultural creation continues to exist in parallel organizations, contributing to the fight against repression. Less academic media such as video, photo editing, sound, visual or tactile staging are multiplying, even if it means offending the public's sensitivity.
Sokol Beqiri is the first artist to have organized an exhibition based on these new concepts. Born in 1964 in Peja, Sokol Beqiri belongs to the first generation of artists who radically departed from the academicism rooted in Yugoslav socialist modernism. Around 1995, Beqiri combined installations, performances and videos to create a language to express his rebellion against the oppression of Kosovo Albanians by the Serbian government. In 1997, he participated in the famous exhibition "Përtej-Beyond" held in Belgrade. This exhibition established him as a provocative and politically committed artist. He decided to end his career in 2006, a statement immortalized in the video "Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Art That You Are Afraid to Ask" in which he ignited his own fart. For him, the artist has no other mission than to annihilate art.
He will be followed in this way by other artists such as Erzen Shkololli or Albert Heta.
The exhibition "Pertej-Beyond", mounted in Belgrade in 1997, is controversial. It marked a turning point: from then on, Kosovar conceptual artists were invited to large-scale international exhibitions. At the same time, the end of the war in 1999 favored the rise of a new generation of artists.At the present time
The organization of competitions such as Artists of Tomorrow or the Muslim Mulliqi International Prize are an invaluable springboard for living art. The limited number of infrastructures remains an obstacle to creation, although several initiatives are to be welcomed. For this reason, the young generation lives and works in several countries
The unclassifiable Flaka Haliti, born in 1980 in Pristina, lives between her native city and Munich. She represented Kosovo at the 2015 Venice Biennale. In line with her previous creations, she presented for the occasion an installation composed of everyday objects, sculptures and various techniques. Her installations invite questions about political issues, but also about the question of gender and more broadly about identity. Between abstraction and figuration, Haliti's work does not leave one indifferent
Petrit Halijaj works between Kosovo, Germany and Italy. He draws his inspiration from his childhood and produces a work that is inseparable from Kosovar history, told through his memories intermingled with documents. Detached from any pathos, the artist offers an optimistic view. Like Haliti, he addresses the themes of identity and nation. It should be noted that he has entered the Pinault collection at Palazzo Grassi in Venice
However, places like Stacion - Center for Contemporary Art opened in 2006 in Pristina give voice to an interdisciplinary art. As an exhibition and training center, Stacion occupies a crucial place on the art scene. Since 2013, Galeria Qahili supports creation by offering a place for exhibitions, meetings, as well as an artists' residence. The result of crowdfunding, Galeria 17 offers unwavering support to the most innovative artists. The ideal way to take the pulse of the Kosovar creation!
Newborn and street art
Mural art was already practiced in Pristina before the war, both to brighten up gloomy neighborhoods and to convey political messages. The creation of the Mural Fest Kosovo, supported by the municipality, gives voice to Street Art. Among the most notable interventions, one can admire a Mr. Cat, the big yellow cat that has been touring the world since 1997. Interpretations of Gustav Klimt's Kiss, Munch's Scream and Pablo Picasso's Woman's Bust
decorate the city. They were created by Murati and Hetemi, in collaboration with young painters.Symbol of the birth of Kosovo, the monument "Newborn " was revealed on the day of the declaration of independence (February 17, 2008). The seven letters that compose it like to wear new clothes. Over the years, they are frequently redesigned. Just in front of the "Newborn" monument, the Heroines
sculpture was made from military medals to pay tribute to women victims of conflicts. Feel like an arty stop? The Paletë space (Egnatia street) is the result of the merger of the studios of two artists and childhood friends, Mentor Avdili and Shpetim Mehmeti. Paletë combines a café, an art gallery, a library and a creative space in a warm atmosphere. From 10am to 10pm, the artists welcome, serve tea and create. And they inspire... Ulpianë is slowly but surely transforming into an artistic district.
