The human being, the interaction with the environment, time, the modern man and the new technologies. All of these are themes explored by the visual artist Darko Trajanovic through paintings, installations, shows and video works. He finished a PhD at the Faculty of fine Arts in Belgrad and works at The National Museum in Smederevska Palanka as a digital media artist where he gets acquainted daily with exhibits from different periods of time. His activity of photographing objects from the neolithic period synchronized with the call for artists made by NeoNlitic team. Darko believes that this kind of projects help us understand better who we used to be and who we are now.
I connected Neolithic figurines, as inspiration, with my art projects and, in this video performance "neoNlitic Ladies", I try to present the constant connection between the great-grandmother and the modern woman, despite centuries of distance.
Through the work NeoNlitic Ladies, Darko captions the connection kept alive between the woman of the past and the modern woman. In his video performance, the luminous paint, electronic music and the dynamism of the the frames invite the audience to a meditation on the theme of female independence. The work can be seen thanks to the NeoNlitic exhibition who landed at the Nation Museum from Zrenjanin, Serbia, at the Underground Gallery from Timisoara and now it’s heading to Greece. Darko told us more about the role of art, the general perception of it and his creative process in the lines below.
Artistic background
I have finished a PhD at the Faculty of fine Arts in Belgrade, I am a visual artist and I create works in various media such as paintings and installations, but as well performances and video works. So far, I exhibited in over 50 collective and 28 individual exhibitions at home and abroad.
Within my art projects, I explore the phenomenon of the visual and the spatial. My artistic research is based on art objects, on the needs of the modern man and on the connection with new technologies. So, space, as well as light and movement, are key categories that I represent and explore in my work.
Your sources of inspiration
My inspiration is the human being and the interaction he or she has with the environment.
Space and time in art
Of course, the space we inhabit, but especially the passing of time influences our perception, that is why these are some of the basic motives that I research in my art projects.
Art in Serbia
I think there is a global issue when it comes to art. Because art generally requires individualism and a certain attitude, that is, generally, in conflict with the interests of globalism. One of the questions is: can differences be overcome?
What made you want to join the NeoNlitic project
The concept itself and the like mindedness of the ideas encouraged me to join the project that I think is a great step forward to remind us who we were and who we now.
Your work from NeoNlitic 3.0
Since I work at the National Museum in Smederevska Palanka as a digital media artist, I am in contact daily with exhibits from different periods. Currently, one of the jobs I do is photographing objects from the Neolithic age. And of course that, when I saw the call for artistis, it additionally inspired me to respond to it.
So, I connected Neolithic figurines, as inspiration, with my art projects and, in this video performance "neoNlitic Ladies", I try to present the constant connection between the great-grandmother and the modern woman, despite centuries of distance.
More space for art
In my works, I deal with the presentation of things, in a certain living environment and time. But more media space for art should be definitely given.
Authenticity and originality in your creative endeavors
That is a very difficult endeavor itself. :)
What inspired you to create during this period
I believe that the creative urge always exists, regardless of the given external circumstances. In order to keep going, you have to preserve continuity and routine, as it is in everything else in life.
What has changed since you started and until now
New media and the ways of communication are something that have changed drastically. The new technologies have a certain influence on the approaches and developments in my projects.
