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.
Students created collages of peculiar creatures digitally, later translated 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.
Participating students: Pika Basaj, Kim Benkovič, Žoel Kastelic, Maja Klepec, Klara Frančiška Kracina, Miha Majes, Katarina Marov, Petja Novak, Zdenka Pandžić, Polona Pečan, Klara Polajnar, Lina Povšič, Valentin Radulović, Svitlana Ryabischuk, Tom Winkler.
Coordinator: Zora Stančič, MA, Academy of Fine Arts and Design
Collaborator: Admir Ganić, MA, Academy of Fine Arts and Design
The exhibition was on view from 30 September to 7 October 2022 in the premises of Academy of Fine Arts and Design.
Work of art: Dog, author: Valentin Radulović, student of Year 2 of Painting, Academy of Fine Arts and Design