Constructions

Small Gestures, Great Symbolic Power

Zlatko Kopljar (born 1962 in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina; lives and works in Zagreb, Croatia) critically examines contemporary history in his performances, video works, and installations. He calls his works "constructions" because they question and reconstruct patterns of memory, both during the performative creation process and in their reception. In the photo series "K9 Compassion", his act of kneeling in front of places such as New York's Wall Street, the EU Commission in Brussels, or the Duma in Moscow is a compelling pose of powerlessness against global power structures. With this clear and potent gesture of humility, Kolpjar symbolically calls for reflection.

Kleine Gesten, große Symbolkraft Zlatko Kopljar (geb. 1962 in Zenica, Bosnien Herzegowina, lebt und arbeitet in Zhagreb, Kroatien) setzt sich in seinen Performances, Videoarbeiten und Installation kritisch mit unserer Zeitgeschichte auseinander. Dabei nennt er seine Arbeiten Konstruktionen, da sie im performativen Entstehungsprozess sowie in ihrer Rezeption Erinnerungsmuster hinterfragen und rekonstruieren. So wird ein Kniefall an Orten wie der Wall Street in New York, der EU-Kommission in Brüssel oder der Duma in Moskau in der Fotoserie K9-Compassion zur wirkungsvollen Pose der Ohnmacht gegenüber globalen Machtstrukturen. Eine Geste der Demut, einfach und wirkungsvoll: Kopljar will mit seiner Haltung symbolhaft zur Reflexion auffordern. Der Katalog Constructions begleitet Kopljars gleichnamige Ausstellung im Museum of Contemporary Art Zagreb und fast 30 Jahre künstlerischen Schaffens. Die Texte schrieben Sanja Cvetni, Ory Dessau und Kate Mayne. Small Gestures, Great Symbolic Power Zlatko Kopljar (born 1962 in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina; lives and works in Zagreb, Croatia) critically examines contemporary history in his performances, video works, and installations. He calls his works "constructions" because they question and reconstruct patterns of memory, both during the performative creation process and in their reception. In the photo series "K9 Compassion, his act of kneeling in front of places such as New York's Wall Street, the EU Commission in Brussels, or the Duma in Moscow is a compelling pose of powerlessness against global power structures. With this clear and potent gesture of humility, Kolpjar symbolically calls for reflection.

Autorentext
Zlatko Kopljar (geb. 1962 in Zenica, Bosnien Herzegowina, lebt und arbeitet in Zhagreb, Kroatien)