Igor Grubić
DECONSTRUCTION OF THE FACTORY – TRACES OF DISAPPEARING ACT 3, 2006–2019
Photo and text documentation, 8 parts, each 120 x 90 cm.
HOW STEEL WAS TEMPERED, 2018
One Channel Video, 13 min, 2018
Courtesy of the artist
Igor Grubić (*1969) is one of Croatia’s most accomplished and internationally acclaimed artists and is known for using art as a tool for activism. His photographs, films, and symbolic actions in public space have addressed social, political, and economic concerns, often referring to significant historical events and drawing attention towards marginalized groups and unlikely heroes. For the 4th Industrial Art Biennial Grubić was invited to exhibit a re-adaption of his project DECONSTRUCTION OF THE FACTORY – TRACES OF DISAPPEARING ACT 3 (2006–19), which was already displayed in the Croatian Pavilion of the Venice Biennale 2019. Katerina Gregos, curator of the Croatian Pavilion, stated: “The project began in 2006 when the artist began documenting post-war, transitional reality in Croatia, particularly the fundamental shift from socialism to capitalism, from a central, stated-planned to a free market economy. It explores how this has affected changes in habitation, the urban fabric, public space and social relations. Grubić’s short film, How Steel Was Tempered, which weaves together issues of worker history, family bonds and generational shifts, suggesting also the importance of fruitful future relationships based on solidarity, shared social space and creative, collaborative working. How Steel Was Tempered is key for the latest developments in Croatia and a symbol for an artful dialogue with the past.”
Igor Grubić HOW STEEL WAS TEMPERED, 2018
Igor Grubić (*1969.) jedan je od najuspješnijih međunarodno priznatih hrvatskih umjetnika, poznat po korištenju umjetnosti kao alata za aktivizam. Njegove fotografije, filmovi i simbolične akcije u javnom prostoru bave se društvenim, političkim i ekonomskim problemima, često se referirajući na značajne povijesne događaje i skrećući pozornost na marginalizirane skupine i nevjerojatne heroje. Za 4. Bijenale industrijske umjetnosti Grubić je pozvan da readaptira projekt DECONSTRUCTION OF THE FACTORY – TRACES OF DISAPPEARING ACT 3 (2006–19), koji je bio izložen u Hrvatskom paviljonu Venecijanskog bijenala 2019., kojemu je pridodao kratki film iz 2018. “Kako se kalio čelik”. Katerina Gregos, kustosica Hrvatskog paviljona, o ovom je projektu rekla: „…..započeo je 2006. godine kada je umjetnik počeo dokumentirati poslijeratnu, tranzicijsku stvarnost u Hrvatskoj, posebno temeljni pomak od socijalizma ka kapitalizmu, od centralnog, državno-planskog do slobodnog. Projekt istražuje kako je to utjecalo na promjene u stanovanju, urbanom tkivu, javnom prostoru i društvenim odnosima..”. Grubićev kratki film “Kako se kalio čelik”, povezuje pitanja radničke povijesti, obiteljskih veza i generacijskih smjena, sugerirajući također važnost budućih plodnijih odnosa temeljenih na solidarnosti, zajedničkom društvenom prostoru i kreativnom, suradničkom radu. On je ključ za razumijevanje trenutnog ratvoja u Hrvatskoj i za dijalog s proslošću kroz umjetnost.”