Stoletje jaza: Oliver Pilić explores reproduction of his own image On August 5, 2026, the gallery Kresija in Ljubljana opened an exhibition titled Stoletje jaza (The Age of the Hole), featuring works by visual artist Oliver Pilić. The exhibition centers around the reproduction of his own image, drawing upon one of the most traditional and historically significant iconographic motifs, the self-portrait. Pilić’s work engages with contemporary digital aesthetics, self-image, and societal perceptions of identity. His approach combines modern digital technologies such as smartphone photography and photo-editing apps with traditional graphic techniques, particularly woodcut printing. This fusion reflects his ongoing exploration of how images can be transformed through repeated manipulation and physical intervention. The exhibition includes ten self-portraits arranged in spatial configurations that create a multi-layered yet clear chronological narrative of a fictional and entirely formalistic representation of life intertwined with nature. According to the exhibition text, Pilić uses planned repetition and gradual manipulation to achieve this transformation. The exhibition runs until September 3, 2026. Pilić, who graduated from the Ljubljana Academy of Fine Arts in 2012, has been working primarily in contemporary graphic design, focusing on woodcuts, drawings, installations, and photography. His work has been exhibited both domestically and internationally, earning him several notable awards in the field of graphics. He was also nominated for the OHO Group Award. In parallel, another exhibition titled Grafika Ljubljana '71, Žirovnica opened in the village of Žirovnica on August 4, 2026. This second part of the Grafika Ljubljana '71 series continues the story of Zoran Kržišnik, a key figure in Slovenian graphic art. The exhibition features works by seven renowned Slovenian artists, Vladimir Makuca, Bogdan Borčić, Metka Krašovec, Gorazd Šefran, Marjan Pogačnik, Karl Zelenk, and Dževad Hoze. These pieces form a map of the influential Grafika Ljubljana '71 movement, which played a crucial role in shaping the country's graphic arts scene during the 1970s. The exhibition runs until September 3, 2026. Meanwhile, in Novo Mesto, the gallery Kocka hosted an exhibition titled Who Cares? by visual artist Ana Škarjak Kotar. The installation explores themes of care and motherhood, presenting them as undervalued forms of labor. The exhibition features performers dressed in identical red work uniforms, moving silently through the space while engaging in domestic tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and grocery shopping. The piece highlights the invisible, often unacknowledged work performed by women, emphasizing the physical and emotional toll of reproductive labor. The installation includes a vertical structure made from building debris, which will be interactively modified throughout the exhibition by five performers wearing red uniforms. Elements such as scents of milk, cleaning products, and coffee are integrated into the experience, creating a sensory and performative environment. The exhibition runs until September 11, 2026. In addition, a solo exhibition of photographs by photographer Ivan Grohar, titled Fotografija je moj življenjski slog, was displayed in the gallery Kocka. The exhibition showcases a range of photographic styles, including landscape and portrait photography, reflecting the artist’s personal and professional journey. One standout piece features a photograph of Grohar’s sculpture in Sorica, illuminated against a vibrant northern lights display. The artist recounts how he captured the moment under challenging weather conditions, highlighting the blend of technical skill and artistic vision required for such work. The exhibition underscores the broader theme of photography as both a profession and a deeply personal expression of lifestyle. These exhibitions collectively reflect a diverse spectrum of contemporary artistic practices, from conceptual and performative works to traditional and documentary-style photography. Each contributes to the evolving dialogue within Slovenia’s cultural and artistic landscape, offering audiences new perspectives on identity, labor, and the intersection of technology and human experience.
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