A Cultural Look At Slovene Art In Bloom

Slovenia’s place at the heart of Europe has fostered a diverse cultural and artistic history, whilst also leading to involvement in countless conflicts and political subordination. Shelton Lindsay questions how far the artistic output of Slovenia reflects this tumultuous history.

How does one explore the art of a nation? Is it not reductive to arbitrarily group artists due to their place of birth? Yet we all speak of art in terms of national allegiance. Our history and our ideas find creative maturation in the catharsis of art and the cries of joy and tribulations of our nation state can also find themselves bedfellows with our artistic intentions. Art has always existed in a complex relation with nationality and culture, both reflecting and dissenting from the context of its birth.

Destinations Unlocked:
Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture tripCentralAmerica
1. Guatemala
An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.CentralAmerica
2. Belize
A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.CentralAmerica
3. Mexico
An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.SouthAmerica
1. Ecuador
A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.SouthAmerica
2. Peru
An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.Europe
1. Italy
The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.Europe
2. Scotland
Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.Europe
3. Portugal
A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.Asia
1. South Korea
Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.Asia
2. Thailand
From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.Asia
3. Sri Lanka
A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great priceAfrica
1. Morocco
An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!Africa
2. Egypt
From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.This relation between nationhood and artistic practice is explored through the works of the modern Slovenian art scene, which juxtaposes a rich cultural and artistic pedigree with an adolescent nation state. As a nation, Slovenia is just over twenty years old, having officially declared independence on the 15th of January 1992.

For those interested in this Slovenian art scene, the UGM Art Gallery in Maribor offers a comprehensive introduction. It is home to 3,000 pieces of work by Slovenian artists from the 19th century to the present. Their impressive collection monitors and explores all of the major trends in Slovenian art from modernist paintings through to the emerging field of video installations.
The UGM Art Gallery’s 2012 exhibition Almost Spring: 100 Years of Slovenian Art offered a retrospective of the development of Slovenian art over the course of the long and often torturous journey to independence. Heralded as a constellation installation, Almost Spring brought together disparate art works in a variety of mediums in two separate but connected collections: XX.Century, and XXI. Century. Both look at the past as a source of inspiration and welcome the uncertain promises the future brings. This is particularly true in a country such as Slovenian where the memory of radical political shifts lurk in the cultural psyche. This disjointed, multi-room, multi-medium art instillation serves as an artistically curated realm onto itself, challenging our notions of art in relation to history.

Within the Almost Spring collections visitors will find work by mixed media artist Vadim Fiskin. Fiskin utilizes science and modern technology which he welds to his imaginative concepts in order to produce works which are part poetry, part science and which invite us to question the rigid distinctions we apply to both forms. Born in the USSR, in Penza, Fiskin currently lives and works in Ljubljana. He often works with light and shadows such as in his work Miss Christmas, which challenges the nature of perception by using shadow and light to give the memory of life to the mechanical.
When explored next to some of his previous work, such as Don Quixote Pact (pictured above left), which uses a wind turbine and five electric fans in a tableau that draws to mind the misguided hero who lends the project his name, we begin to understand Fiskin as an artist who appropriates our cultural, mechanical and artistic heritage and displaces it in order to yoke together new meanings.

His work within the Slovenian art scene has gone on to inspire a younger generation of artists whose work can also be found in the Almost Spring collection, such as photographer Peter Kostrun, whose minimalist and ethereal photographs call to mind the interplay between light and shadow that dominate much of Fiskin’s work. Yet Kostrun’s work seems to be more mythical in form, hovering at the edges of reality. His nearly otherworldly photographs beckon to us from a world we have hardly seen and yet somehow remember.
As with all nations it is impossible to summarize the type and character of the work that is being produced within Slovenia’s borders. But if one were to draw out assumptions one may say that Slovenian art shows a mutability of form and a playful attitude towards style. This element of the scene can be summed up in the work of Jasmina Cibic. A new and up coming artist, she uses mixed media instillations along side traditional art forms to challenge the ways we experience the staging of art. Her work For the Birds (2007) is a particularly interesting and haunting piece, as it fills a sanitized ceramic space with birds forever captured in flight, simultaneously symbolizing both escape, and imprisonment.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!


Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.


KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.