Vesna Bukovec

Exploanation

Year: 2016
Technique: ink on paper, 40 x 30 cm

Drawings were made for the solo show of the same title (composed of the words exploitation and nation) at Alkatraz Gallery in 2016.

“The artist received the impulse for the exhibition while observing responses to the migration crisis which has, in the media and the Internet space triggered a surge of negative emotions, often pointed toward the victims of the greatest humanitarian catastrophe of the recent years. A spectrum of negative reactions, articulated by the aid of hate speech has settled as a regular companion of press reports, chats in cafés and on social networks. There is an interesting fact about it – the mentioned discourse has emerged in the circles of the self-proclaimed patriots. While following the paradox (as love for the homeland was one of the crucial qualities to catalyze the uprising against the occupancy during the Second World War, as stressed by the author) the artist started to ask herself how it is possible that love for the nation can – in such a short time – turn into acts that bear witness of hatred toward others exactly in the name of patriotism? Is a demonized image of a stranger a necessary condition to establish a national community?”

Excerpt from the exhibition text by Ana Grobler, Sebastian Krawczyk and Jadranka Plut
full text

Domoljubi / The Patriots, 2016

Text on the drawing: Ponosni, da sovražimo!!! / Proud to hate!!!

Dolžnost vseh domoljubov / The Duty of All Patriots, 2016

Text on the drawing: Dolžnost vseh domoljubov je, da varujejo svojo državo pred njeno vlado / The duty of all patriots is to protect their country from it’s government

Varnost za koga? / Safety for whom?, 2016


Šenčur 1, 2016

Text on the drawing: Slovenci smo za! Migranti dobrodošli / Slovenian people support migration! Migrants are welcome


Šenčur 2, 2016

Text on the drawing: Slovenijo Slovencem in migrantom. Pomagajmo sočloveku! / Slovenia belongs to Slovenians and migrants. Let’s help a fellow human being!
Text at the back of the drawing is Slovenian national anthem (part of Zdravljica / A Toast by the poet France Prešern):
God’s blessing on all nations,
Who long and work for that bright day,
When o’er earth’s habitations
No war, no strife shall hold its sway;
Who long to see
That all men free
No more shall foes, but neighbours be.

Čivkanje / Tweeting, 2016, Giclée fine art print