20 Dec Give Meaning, Not Just an Object: Exhibition ‘Create – Don’t Buy!: Exhibition “Create – Don’t Buy!”
From 16th to 19th December, Young Researchers of Serbia organised a joint exhibition of art works called “Create – Don’t Buy. Shop Less, Gift Creativity”. This unique event, which was a result of the eponymous competition, brought together more than 60 authors who demonstrated how one can contribute to preserving nature in a socially engaged manner through upcycled art and creativity.
By employing various techniques and materials, young authors, together with experienced artists, have demonstrated through their works presented at the exhibition how it is possible to transform everyday objects into works of art – a broken camera into a lamp, jeans into a bag, and tin cans into sculptures and installations.
Up cycling is a process where discarded objects or packaging are transformed into new products, offering them a second life and a different purpose. Unlike industrial recycling, up cycling is a creative process that not only contributes to the preservation of resources, but also promotes responsible behavior towards nature, emphasizes the importance of protecting nature and of meaningful creativity.
At the ceremonial opening of the exhibition, the Young Researchers of Serbia have pointed out that the exhibition is not only a visual event, but also a protest against excessive consumption, irresponsible behavior towards nature and ignoring the preservation of resources. Art, according to their statement, has the power to launch changes, and artists are an important part of these changes.
The exhibition was officially inaugurated by the artist Ivan Kocić, whose work combines modern art and the recycling process. “Recycling doesn’t have to be something boring and deadpan. First and foremost, it should be creative and fun in order to attract us and to make us stay. If it is too boring for you to collect plastic waste, glass and tin cans, try making something creative with it, with your old clothes, furniture, anything you use and observe on a daily basis”, he reminded the attendees. “We are not even aware of how much waste we produce and how much we consume and spend. Several days ago I saw a water consumption chart that said that in 70 years a human being drinks approximately 700 m3 of water, while spending a thousand times more on clothes and everything else”, the artist added.
All of the pieces that were on display have made a strong impression with their craftsmanship and abundance of ideas, but the jury selected three that were the most innovative: “Retro Lamp” by Andrijan Balaš , “Adaptation of Angel” by Danica Maksimović and “Cosmetic Bag” by Marija Veličković.
The exhibition also included works of many young authors, students from secondary schools of art, future artists. One of them was Aleksandra Gajić, whose artwork “You Listen About How to Get Money, but not Happiness” sent a strong message about the importance of pursuing one’s passion. “We are constantly being suggested to do something that brings more money, and not the thing that we love. But us, artists, we keep sacrificing ourselves for it and try to do what we love, because this is what we were born to do, it is where our talents lie.”
Aleksa Glišović from Kragujevac presented a sculpture called “Krstivoje” made of old paper, demonstrating how everyday materials can be transformed. “I liked paper wrappers since I was little. Whenever I got a toy, I used to play with the box instead of with the toy. I kept old papers with English texts on it – I can’t speak English very well – and I just found a new use for them. Instead of ending up in a trash can, they formed a whole personality and, I may freely say, a person with a soul”, Aleksa presented his artwork.
It was our great pleasure to organise our first exhibition “Create – Don’t Buy” dedicated to upcycled art. This is the fifth year that we have been implementing the ECO-SYSTEM programme and our first venture into the world of art. The objective of this exhibition was to inspire others to creatively use discarded materials, to develop a culture of responsible consumption and to raise awareness of excessive consumption, especially during the holiday season. We believe that art has the power to kick-start changes and that is why we invite you to create, to become involved and to make your works become a strong voice for nature.
See the works that were presented at the exhibition which has attracted great attention of the audience and media and become inspired to transform objects, give them a new purpose and to revive the materials that are already there, around you. Don’t buy things. Create them and gift others meaning, instead of just an object.
These activities are part of the GOOD TREE campaign, which is being carried out within the ECO-SYSTEM support programme implemented by the Young Researchers of Serbia and supported by Sweden.