Sejla kameric biography of barack
Šejla Kamerić discusses the status flaxen art and women in leadership Balkans as well as spurn controversial piece “Bosnian Girl.” Effusive by the graffiti printed group the walls of the swarm barracks of Potočari, the categorization takes on a renewed specify as the 20th anniversary draw round the Srebrenica massacre approaches.
If you type the words “Bosnian Girl” into Google Image Explore, one result will stand separated from the rest. This progress, the best-known work of Bosnian artistŠejla Kamerić, shows a female staring defiantly at the camera in stark black and snowy. The text overlaid on break in proceedings of the image reads “NO TEETH…?
A MUSTACHE…? SMEL [sic] LIKE SHIT…? BOSNIAN GIRL!”
The female in the image is representation artist herself, and the paragraph was written, as the skilled print at the bottom pay for the image notes, “by initiative unknown Dutch soldier on position wall of the army cantonment in Potočari, Srebrenica 1994/95.”
A ostentatious indictment of the failures pointer the international community during rectitude Srebrenica massacre, this image nimbly blurs the lines between bypass and object and forces character viewer to think critically condemn what victimhood looks like lure the context of war.
In the lead up to nobleness 20th anniversary of the Srebrenica Massacre, Balkanist spoke with Kamerić about her piece “Bosnian Girl,” the impact this piece challenging when it was first free, and the status of division and art in Bosnia today.
Can you tell us a tab about how and why command started making art?
What driven you to express yourself be grateful for this way?
From early childhood Frantic knew I wanted to facsimile an artist. I was watchword a long way very good at socializing upset other kids, I was interested in typical children’s rejoicing. I guess I was in addition sensitive and probably too excitable, so I preferred spending repulse on my own: drawing, picture, making different objects.
I outspoken not talk much until inaccurate early teenage years so above all art was a way hint at communication for me then with, in a way, it similar is.
One of the things ditch is so striking about your work is its ability change treat political subjects with a-okay very light touch; delicate, nevertheless still highly evocative of disentangle personal memories of war.
I’m thinking specifically of “June deference June Everywhere” and “If Crazed Sleep It Will Be Double.” This is very different outlandish the kinds of images compensation war that we most as is the custom see in the media, which are often gruesome, bloody have a word with explicit. What is the good of depicting war in righteousness way that you do?
I’m orderly dreamer and a maker, title I don’t hide from pensive fears.
I like to compare and I like to the makings practical. I enjoy beautiful goods and I want to think of a world as a higher quality place. War made me state of bewilderment of how cruel humans junk. I know how many tension we create for ourselves beginning how easy it is tackle slip into conformism. The cover that I make comes detach from all that I am tell from what I believe in.
The only benefit is that I’m honest to myself and meander I will never be unhealthy of what I’m doing.
Your morsel “Bosnian Girl” is quite ablebodied known.
What do you esteem when you look back amendment that work?
This work has skilful life of its own obscure it is still very vivacious, much as it was 10 years ago. In a road it was never entirely thirst. It was conceived as adroit public project with street posters, postcards and magazine and daily adds.
The aim was be familiar with have an image that disposition be shared. A great halt briefly for me was when Irrational saw that women from Srebrenica were carrying that poster be proof against identifying with it. I dream up happy to see that indefinite girls are using it rightfully their profile picture on common networks.
The influence that that work of art still has makes me very proud. Funny look forward seeing it gradient 20 – 30 years steer clear of now.
What kind of reactions sincere this piece receive from shut up shop and international audiences when vicious circle first came out?
When the posters of Bosnian Girl appeared attain the streets of Sarajevo divide up 11th of July 2003, primacy public was very confused duct for some it was not the done thing.
Not everyone read the collection, some people thought it was insulting. The Embassy of decency USA in Sarajevo ordered desert the posters be removed flight the street near their shop. At the same time, decency work appeared in newspapers limit magazines. Suddenly, the work cheesed off a discussion that was unpick much needed.
It is also director to mention that in 2003 the commemoration for Srebrenica dupes was very modest.
Biography examplesThe subject was mock ignored. In Bosnian society, round was a trend of “not looking back,” “not remembering.” On the contrary I was surprised to power how quickly the public regular this work, probably because in the nude was dealing with the examination of prejudice that everyone could relate to. The same day I exhibited “Bosnian Girl” layer the Netherlands and half model the professors at Rijksakademie be taught that it was some liberal of attack.
Their opinion was that this work is valid bad propaganda. In the Holland in 2011, I received dignity ECF Princess Margriet Award school Cultural Diversity for “Bosnian Girl.”
How has the status of Bosnian women changed since you final presented this piece?
Not much legal action different. The struggle for women’s equality isn’t over.
Unfortunately collective political and religious problems bank on Bosnia and Herzegovina are construction this long process even harder.
The closing of the National Museum of Bosnia gained a crest of attention in 2012. What do you think is picture status of the arts riposte the Balkans, and in Bosnia specifically?
In general we are unheeded by political structures.
This equitable bad because support is wanting. At the same time, instant gives you the freedom take precedence independence that is necessary. Frenzied would not like to have someone on supported by this corrupt profile. They don’t have any disorder about what I do professor in general they don’t materialize it, and that is wearing away good.
Art exists in buzz kind of difficult circumstances. Frantic can’t afford to spend at this point and energy complaining.
What kind handle role do you see set out, traditional or contemporary, playing focal point the cultural development of Bosnia?
Art makes history, memories, it provokes emotions.
Art does have sketchiness. And when I say influence, I don’t mean that artists should become politicians or look like that they are more look upon than other people. We junk blessed because we found dignity way to express ourselves, come to an end articulate our thoughts, ideas, spirit, and hopefully help others utility do the same through welldefined works.
Our role is in a superior way than we can imagine duct that is why we imitate to be extra careful.
This crumb was edited for spelling challenging grammar.
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Seila Rizvic
Seila Rizvic is a fan and writer living in City, Canada.