Ivana Papić ▪︎ IN QUEST OF LJUDORAHA
Curator: Vladimir Bjeličić
The ambient installation In Quest of Ljudoraha represents a new chapter of Ivana Papić’s research based on invasive plant species. The artist’s focus so far has been wild walnut, pajasen or sour tree (Lat. Ailanthus altissima), an invasive plant originating in Asia that was imported to Europe in the 18th century as an ornamental species. Since it is characterized by aggressive spreading and difficult eradication, in her work Papić represents this plant as a metaphor for patriarchal society, but at the same time as a metaphor for female adaptability and resilience.
In this new work, the wild walnut is an integral part of the mutant called Ljudoraha, which is characterized by human, i.e. female and plant characteristics. The function of this form of life is multiple, since it reparates the earth, protects certain plant species, and is characterized by a symbiotic ecological care in the form of cohabitation with silkworms. The story of Ljudoraha from the post-apocalyptic future of planet Earth is the basis of a speculative narrative that will be followed by video projections and objects.
Ivana Papić is a multimedia artist and educator who lives and works between Germany and Croatia. Using video, sound and objects in her art-research practice, the artist builds layered poetic works that touch upon the notions of migration, identity and belonging from the perspective of the relationship between man and the plant world. So far, she has exhibited at solo and group exhibitions in Croatia, Serbia, Germany and Peru, of which stand out solo exhibitions at MKC Gallery and Salon Galić in Split, Pogon multimedia hall in Zagreb and DOB – Youth Center of Belgrade. She won the prize of the 21st Festival of the First on the theme “(In)visible Women” in Zagreb in 2023. During the last year, she worked at the University of the Arts in Berlin as a guest lecturer of the master’s program of the Institute for Art in Context, and from the current year at the Studium Generale study program.