Resort-Entity-Utopia
talk with an artist 9th September 21 h
Working hours: Monday - Saturday 10 - 21 h
The exhibition is a premiere of a painting triptych which thematically encompasses three segments of contemporary society: tourism, culture, and healthcare. The triptych is executed in the technique of acrylic on canvas, each part measuring 150 x 100 cm.
The aforementioned topics are also present in the artist’s previous oeuvre, of which the most prominent is the continuity of the project “Vice Guru” (2018 – 2020). In this project, through a process of embodying the guru and charismatic healer under own name and a series of media actions, exhibitions of attentively designed artefacts and marketing strategies, the artist actualised the simulation of the “Basma Institute for Integrative Medicine and Holistic Healing.” The institute’s operation was announced with an action of pro bono healing of swimmers on Bačvice beach in Split (recorded in the film Tourism, 2018).
The artist’s statement was created with the help of ChatGPT, which generated text based on the author’s instructions on the works.
The painting “UTOPIA” shows an isolated island, shaped in a manner that provokes controversial thoughts (Ed.: the shape of faeces). On it, a settlement is built which seemingly opposes the reality of a Dalmatian island. The graffiti on buildings reveal a local identity; however, the geological and botanical characteristics create an intriguing combination with tropical ambience. Here, tourism in Dalmatia is portrayed as an illusion of abundance, simultaneously bearing destructive traces on natural environment and historic heritage. The example of Omiš – the town which has suddenly become associated with Pirates of the Caribbean – is an illustrative one.
The painting “RESORT” presents a platform which pretends to meet cultural needs, simultaneously provoking doubt on the comprehension of culture among citizens. The question remains as to how many citizens will actually visit this exhibition in Korčula? This painting encourages reflection on actual participation in cultural events, and reexamines the depth and breadth of culture around us.
The painting “ENTITY” becomes an allegory of health industry by problematising topics which have already been considered in detail in the project “Vice Guru.” It picturesquely portrays the challenges and manipulations of alternative medicine, which is often used for exploiting naïve individuals. Paradoxically, however, with deeper understanding we come to realise that the most vulnerable ones are often the readiest to accept the placebo effect and “complementary medicine.” This indicates the future of health industry that is based on subjective perceptions and suggestive treatments.
Translation: Mirta Jurilj
About author
Vice Tomasović was born in Split in 1986. Having completed the Secondary Grammar School in Omiš, he enrolled in the Arts Academy in Split, department of Art Education, from which he graduated in 2009. He is the founder and manager of Almissa Open Air Festival of Contemporary Art in Klis. He is a former President of the Croatian Association of Fine Artists in Split and the manager of exhibition activities at Galić Salon. He has had more than twenty solo exhibitions, an approximate number of performances, and has participated in many group exhibitions, art festivals and events as organiser, curator, exhibitor, and performer.
