Since the Renaissance, cabinets of wonders have stirred people’s imaginations as symbols of intellectual and cultural importance. In special rooms, which were actually the precursors to museums, collectors housed various objects, works of art, herbaria and stuffed animals, particularly peculiar specimens.
Some enthusiastic collectors composed fantastic beings out of stuffed animals.
In the 21st century, art is moving to the virtual word of computer software, where new technology enables creators to manipulate images further than with any earlier technology. A new aesthetic of digitisation has entered the traditional fine arts practice, but the collage concept remains ubiquitous in artistic creations.
In the Cabinet of Curiosities project, BA and MA students of painting and printmaking at ALUO explored and then virtually collaged and put together images of humans and animals where human and animal body parts intertwine.
In 2022, students created collages of peculiar creatures digitally, later translating them to analogue works of art in classic printmaking techniques, which they performed in the printmaking atelier.
They looked for images of various animal species, including extinct species, combining them with pictures of contemporary creatures. In doing so, they underlined the importance of respecting every living being, reflecting on how every living being has an important role and how our attitude towards animals shapes the world.
The exhibition is a continuation and a follow-up of last year’s activity in the framework of the European Researchers’ Night – Humanities Rock!, which was also entitled Cabinet of Curiosities.
A publication with student works, edited by Zora Stančič and Arjan Pregl and designed by Ana Govc, a postgraduate student of Graphic Design, was also presented at the opening.
Participating students:
Špela Ambrož, Pika Basaj, Katarina Babič Derenda, Kim Benkovič, Ana Govc, Lana Hasić, Vanesa Hochkraut, Ajda Kalan, Žoel Kastelic, Ema Kobal, Petja Kocet, Lana Kosovel, Maja Klepec, Klara Frančiška Kracina, David Kucler, Klara Maček, Miha Majes, Katarina Marov, Petja Novak, Rina Jurjevčič, Liza Jutra Norčič, Zdenka Pandžić, Polona Pečan, Maks Podgornik, Klara Polajnar, Pika Potočnik, Lina Povšič, Valentin Radulović, Ana Marija Rauch, Svitlana Ryabishchuk, Gal Šnajder, Isidora Todorić, Tim Topić, Tom Winkler, Matej Zupan, Eva Žgajnar
The exhibition was co-funded by the European Union and the Arts Council of the University of Ljubljana
The exhibition at the UL Gallery will be on view from 29 September to 26 October 2023 every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 4 pm and 8 pm in the former provincial mansion, which is now the headquarters of the University of Ljubljana. You are cordially invited!
Coordinator: Zora Stančič, MA, Academy of Fine Arts and Design