Expo shows diversity of Croatian graphic arts

Expo shows diversity of Croatian graphic arts

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian art buffs will have a chance to view
contemporary Croatian graphic arts to be shown at the National
Museum from Feb.29 through March 9.

"This is the first exhibition of Croatian graphic arts in
Indonesia," said Marijn Oresnik, Counselor of the embassy of the
Republic of Croatia in Jakarta.

The exhibition, jointly held by the Croatia's Ministry of
Culture, the Croatian Embassy here and the National Museum in
Jakarta, will display works of prominent Croatian graphic artists
which illustrate the development of this discipline there.

The participating artists represent several generations, from
established modern classicists to the young and enthusiastic who
are just beginning to make their way. It also records a whole
history of esthetic sensitivity and technical virtuosity showing
a wide range of "change of taste."

The exhibition reveals the contrast in Croatian graphic arts
-- between old and young artists, between figurative and
abstract, between the established and the alternative, between
the elementary and the subtle, between the traditional and the
innovative -- creations rich in vibrant energy.

There are several distinctive works by artist Dubraka Babic,
now Professor and Dean of the Zagreb Art Academy, War Portraits
from Croatia I depicting grim expressions of six war victims.

Senior artist Zvonimir Loncaric displays his figurative and
colorful graphic art works entitled In Search of the Holy Grail.
He is a famous author of several cartoons and toy designs.

Professional painter Ivan Rabuzin presents his watercolor work
entitled Birth of Light. His painting has a distinctive style
(oil on canvas, watercolors and prints). It is both inspired and
original, with subtle shaded colors and soft, round shapes
forming lines or circles to present a quiet singular aspect of
native art.

His works are widely exhibited worldwide. He painted the
ceremonial curtain for the Takarazuka Theater in Tokyo and for
the Museum of Modern Art in Urawa.

Graphic art, one of the most vital components of Croatian fine
arts, has seen several powerful personalities; among them Menci
Clement Crncic, the founder of the contemporary Zagreb school and
younger talents like Dubravka Babic and Nikola Koydl.

According to Tonko Maroevic, a professor of arts at the Zagreb
Arts Academy, graphic art in Croatia rests on strong foundations
and a well established teaching tradition. Throughout the entire
twentieth century all kinds of traditions and modern engraving
and pressing techniques have been taught at the Zagreb Academy of
Fine Arts.

There is a diffuse graphic experience in Croatia developed
from iconographic motifs and stylistic inspiration.

Foreign elements are also found in Croatian art works.
Croatian culture developed at the crossroad of the Mediterranean
and Central European cultural spheres.

Consequently, Croatian heritage is an admixture of numerous
cultures that have developed in this region.

Croatian Graphic Art has emerged from this long history
depicting a unique spiritual place with a clear picture of the
dynamics and significance of the Croatian presence.

The selection of contemporary graphic arts to be exhibited
here cannot give a complete overview of either individuals or
general tendencies in Croatian graphics at this moment, but it
certainly illustrates the diversity of Croatian art and its place
in Europe and the world.

The exhibition also shows the degree of decentralization that
exist in Croatia, for more and more works are being done outside
Zagreb.

"We are convinced that this exhibition is the start of a more
intensive period of communication between Indonesian and Croatian
cultures," added the counselor.

"We hope to present a major exhibition of Indonesian culture
in Croatia," he added. For Indonesian artists, this may be a good
chance to show Indonesian arts to their Croatian counterparts.
(raw)