Circus – Ivana Brezovac / Mitar Terzić
Joint exhibition of Ivana Brezovac (Serbia) and Mitar Terzić (Spain). Both artists explore the theme of the circus, each from their own perspective and personal experience. They work in traditional analog photographic techniques, and through this photographic dialogue, they aim to revive the almost-forgotten form of the circus, treating it as an authentic artistic expression and a source of inspiration for their own work. Through a form of poetic documentary and staging, they immerse us in the imaginary world of the circus, which is nothing less than a reflection of life and ourselves. Ivana Brezovac – Riding with the Wind The photographic series Riding with the Wind was created during an artistic residency at a state circus in Budapest, Hungary, in spring–summer 2023. The series consists of two parts: photographs of the performance and backstage, captured using analog color film, and a series of portraits of the performers in the show, shot on black-and-white film with a large-format camera. The circus world is depicted through two realities: one that sustains the imaginary and magical universe of the circus, where anything is possible, and the other, the real world, where we discover the actual people behind the masks and costumes-the “heroes” of the performance who push the limits of possibility. This duality of the imaginary and the real permeates the entire series, aiming to capture and convey the allure of the circus and its performers.“The circus is a mirror of reality in which we see ourselves exactly as we wish. An impossible universe that, under the spell of magic, appears as the only possible one where everything freely flies, unbound by gravity and materiality. The magic of the circus is rooted in the human need for abstraction and imagination. Strange, unusual people with superpowers and abilities expand the limits of understanding ourselves through their performances. This powerful show is filled with beauty, danger, uncertainty, expectation, fear, fun, and wonder. A mix of emotion and adventure offers one of the most intense experiences, where under the circus dome, for a moment, anything and everything is possible. We all become children again, with free minds and strong spirits that can easily ride with the wind.” (Author on the project) Mitar TerzićFreaks A series of black-and-white photographs shot using analog techniques with a group of circus performers in Alicante, Spain, during 2023. In an improvised studio and using masks created specifically for this project, acrobatic scenes were captured in which the performers’ bodies and the masks share equal significance. The performers’ bodies, in typical acrobatic poses and situations, bring each character to life, giving them a personality and symbolic meaning that the audience is invited to define. These imaginary circus scenes are complemented by a series of photographs of the circus environment, shot in an abstract manner as a reflection on the invented and imagined world of the circus. “I was about 12 or 13 years old when I saw Tod Browning’s 1932 film Freaks, which left an indelible mark on me. The actors in that film were real people with physical disabilities, who at the time were exhibited in circuses as attractions, and Browning sought them out across America for his film. In Yugoslavia, this film was shown under the title ‘Nakaze’. At that time, most films were about war or were Westerns, while Freaks was a real shock, especially for a teenager. Horror films were almost non-existent, and this film was banned in many countries due to the appearance of the actors. For me, the concept of the circus has remained inseparably tied to that film. Over time, circus performances have changed character, as has the film industry, and today that old film would leave a completely different impression. The meaning of the word ‘freak’ has also changed and today carries a very different connotation and usage. The idea of this series is to metaphorically, and using Browning’s film as a foundation, show that people with disabilities can sometimes achieve unimaginable goals. Encountering a group of young people working in circus arts inspired me to create this project and once again engage with Browning’s work.”* (Author on the project) Mitar Terzić – „Freaks“