LAYERS, АLEKSANDAR VAC

Ceramics exhibition
LAYERS, АLEKSANDAR VAC

Exhibition opening: Thursday, 6 October 2022 at 7 pm

Exhibition curator: Јelena Popović, senior curator at the Museum of Applied Art

Оrganizer: the Museum of Applied Art, Belgrade

The ceramics exhibition Layers by Aleksandar Vac at the Museum of Applied Art was organized in the framework of the Salon of Contemporary Applied Art within the MAA. The exhibition will feature the artist’s latest works, as well as a ceramic panel that has won the Grand Prix at the 14^th Ceramics Triennial in 2012. This work is conceptually the starting point for all the new artworks created during 2022. The exhibition is designed to show different approaches to creation and all phases of the artistic experiment through which Vac leads us, from applied to abstract works in ceramics.

In his work, Aleksandar Vac used the terra sigillata technique, which was applied during the period of the Roman Empire (from the 1^st century BCE to the 3^rd century CE) to create luxurious Roman vessels. He uses this technique by experimenting with layers of the finest particles separated from clay that he applies to the surface of the form. His ceramics combine traditional techniques with a contemporary expression, in search of natural and organic elements. The distinctly tactile forms he creates refer to reproduction, procreation and cell division. The interior of each object individually appears vulnerable, like incised flesh that, in contrast, is protected by a solid membrane. The armor and tough exterior seem to protect the soft interior. With subtle variations of earthy tones, the ceramics are transformed into organic forms that appear in a certain rhythm, creating the impression of continuous movement. Expressiveness, associativeness, sensuality and eroticism are the main features of each of these forms.

As a result of the cooperation between the Museum of Applied Art and the Museum of Srem, the audience will be presented with various forms of ceramic vessels found in the area of today’s Sremska Mitrovica (the archeological site of Sirmium and its surroundings), which have in many ways influenced Vac’s artistic development.

BIOGRAPHY

Aleksandar Vac was born in Sremska Mitrovica in 1973. He graduated in 2002 from the Faculty of Applied Arts in Belgrade – the Department of Ceramics. He has been a member of ULUPUDS since 2003 and he actively exhibits in groups and independently in the country and abroad. Ms Vac is a participant in numerous colonies and symposia and has been awarded several times for his work. He lives and works in Belgrade.