Andy Warhol, Tisja Kljaković Braić and a new story about the Angiolini villa will mark the summer at the Croatian Museum of Tourism

The summer season in Opatija will be marked by three major exhibition projects hosted by the Croatian Museum of Tourism, offering visitors a rich blend of contemporary art, historical narratives, and global artistic movements. These exhibitions aim to highlight both the cultural heritage of Opatija and its evolving role as a tourist destination. The museum has planned a series of events starting in July and continuing into August, each designed to engage the public in different aspects of tourism, history, and modern visual culture.

The first exhibition, titled "Eh, niko više ne krade hotelske šugamane," features the works of Tisja Kljaković Braić, a contemporary Split-based artist known for her unique approach to storytelling through illustration. This new collection consists of 42 illustrations and nine paintings, all centered around the theme of tourism and the everyday experiences of Mediterranean summers. Through her minimalist drawing style and witty use of Dalmatian dialect, Kljaković Braić offers a humorous yet insightful commentary on the customs, relationships, and absurdities of tourist life. The exhibition opens on July 9th at Villa Angiolini and continues until September 6th. On July 10th, the public will have the opportunity to participate in a discussion with the artist, led by curator Prof. Frano Dulibić.

Following this, the Croatian Museum of Tourism will unveil the first part of a new permanent exhibition titled "Villa Angiolina – Priča o Opatiji." This project aims to provide a deeper understanding of Opatija's history, particularly focusing on the origins of Villa Angiolini and the Scarp family who built it. The exhibition will explore how the villa became one of the most prestigious gathering spots in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, attracting notable guests from both Opatija and beyond. It will also delve into the subsequent owners of the villa, including Count Viktor Pavle Chorinsky, the Southern Railway Company, and the International Society of Sleeping Cars. The exhibition includes museum artifacts, multimedia content, interactive screens, and multisensory experiences that allow visitors to actively engage with the city’s past. This part of the exhibition opens on July 16th at 8 PM and marks the beginning of a larger project that will continue with additional sections in the future.

The culmination of the summer program will be the opening of the "POP ART – Zbirka Infeld" exhibition on August 1st at the Art Pavilion Juraj Šporer. This exhibition brings together 42 artworks from ten artists associated with American, British, and Austrian pop art movements. Among the featured artists are Andy Warhol, the most renowned representative of this movement, along with Keith Haring, Mel Ramos, Kiki Kogelnik, and Steve Kaufman. These pieces come from the esteemed Infeld Collection, which is currently managed by collector and entrepreneur Zdenka Infeld. She will attend the opening ceremony. The exhibition explores the origins of pop art in the United States and Britain during the 1950s, following the aftermath of World War II and the rise of consumer society. Pop art bridged the gap between fine art and everyday life, placing the visual language of advertisements and mass media at the center of aesthetic thought. Artists created imaginative interpretations of commercial products and phenomena from popular culture, ranging from whimsical and bizarre to highly socially critical. The exhibition runs from August 1st to September 27th and is located in the Art Pavilion Juraj Šporer within Park Sv. Jakova in Opatija.

Each of these exhibitions is designed to offer a multifaceted view of tourism, from its daily routines to its historical development and artistic interpretations. The Croatian Museum of Tourism emphasizes that this year's summer program combines contemporary art, world artistic heritage, and the rich history of Opatija, providing visitors with diverse perspectives on tourism. All exhibitions will be open during the museum's operating hours from 10 AM to 1 PM and from 4 PM to 8 PM daily, except Mondays.

The exhibitions reflect a broader effort to celebrate Opatija's cultural significance while engaging with global artistic trends. By showcasing both local and international artists, the museum seeks to create a dialogue between the past and present, highlighting how tourism shapes not only the economy but also the cultural identity of a place. Visitors can expect to experience a range of artistic expressions that capture the essence of Opatija's transformation from a historic spa town to a modern tourist destination. Each exhibition is carefully curated to ensure that the visitor's journey through time and space is both educational and enjoyable, offering insights into the complex relationship between art, history, and tourism.