When my sister Dragana Milinković told me she was making an art exhibition for kids, I was a bit surprised. Since she is a multi-talented person (a film director, techno producer and a DJ), it has always been clear to me that Dragana will experiment with her interests even further. I remember dolls and art for her daughter Lila as well as jewelry she used to make as a birthday present for me, our cousins and friends.
I went to her studio where she showed me Cats and Friends- the whole, new world of 3D portraits of cats and other animals with human characteristics made from polymer clay with lively, glass eyes that follow you and watch you from every angle.
The exhibition took place on The International Children’s day in Štab gallery, Belgrade. Frames are tapestry, vintage, golden ones that our grannies used to have with Wiehler embroidery motives. Beautiful creatures captured in a moment are not classical animal portraits with their original attributes and surroundings. They are fully dressed; some of them even wear accessories. It’s almost like you can feel the materials and look through their vivid, overemphasized eyes.
The portraits are presented to the audience through a child’s perspective. The average height of the target audience (3 to 10 years-old children) was chosen to be an ideal exposition spot. Eye contact is essential as well as the tactile experience.
Little people are treated as observers who give their final judgment for a piece of art. The exhibition catalog is a coloring book, with which the interaction continues at home where kids can express their afterimage however they feel. At last,THEY were inspiration for the entire project.
Children are unconventional creatures who perceive reality with imagination. Gradually, grownups are being imposed by boundaries of a society, education and upbringing. Some of it we accept, some of it we reject. Trying to be what we want and to do what we love within our life circumstances we often forget how important is to keep our inner child, despite of our professional orientation. It is what keeps us free and makes us creative and shapes our everyday life with colors and pure emotions.
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