From 5 August to 15 August 2017 I had the opportunity to take part in the Art Colony of Jalovik in Serbia.

The Art Colony of Jalovik was founded in 1978 and is situated in Jalovik, a village of around 2000 people in the northwest of Serbia. Artists are invited by the artist and selector Branislav Nikolic to live and work in the village for ten days and to produce artworks exhibited to the audience at the end of the colony. The artists are offered an opportunity to explore the nature and countryside, to enjoy the time and space of the Colony while abandoning their everyday lives and routines, to learn, share and discuss art and cultural issues through the exchange of experiences and opinions with other artists. This atmosphere is especially rewarding to young artists who can learn from their more experienced colleagues, since there is no age limit in terms of participation. On the other hand, this is also a suitable and valuable opportunity for more experienced art professionals to refresh themselves by hearing about new ways and possibilities of thinking about and practicing art. This ten-day stay results in a very productive and intense work motivated by the surrounding, the art colony’s reputation, the professionalism of the invited artists and their own inherent need to make something new and exceptional in their art research. Besides the stimulating environment, the atmosphere in and around the studios and the house is very special and unique! Delicious countryside meals, swimming in the river Sava, visiting the city of Šabac, getting lost in the fields, visiting the warehouse to get the material are just a few of the unforgettable moments of Jalovik.

This year the art colony celebrated its 40th anniversary and on this occasion the artist and selector Branislav Nikolic invited participants from Germany, Slovenia, Albania and Serbia. The participants were: DK – Damjan Kocjancic (Slovenia), Rok Bogataj (Slovenia), Robert Verch (Germany / Austria), Ilir Kaso (Albania), Mia Cuk, Mihaela Vujnovic, Danijela Mrsulja Vasic and Milenko Vasic (DimTim). The curator of the exhibition was Dusan Savic.