The exhibition is the result of the seventh edition of the national competition for the graduate students of art academies and art history studies. This year’s winners are Dominik Višnjić from of the Academy of Applied Arts in Rijeka (mentor prof. art Celestina Vičević) and Dora Križnik from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Rijeka (mentor dr.sc. Nadežda Elezović).
Dominik Višnjić, Fragrance of Atmosphere
In the exhibition Fragrance of Atmosphere, Dominik Višnjić presents the results of his artistic research in the print medium through four installations, showcasing his distinctive take on the collagraph technique. In the works titled Cave, Folds, Garden, and Weaving, he employs a holistic approach that connects tradition and identity with the art of (non-toxic) printmaking. Influenced by his roots and family tradition in textile craftsmanship, Višnjić incorporates aspects of this manual labour into his artistic practice, revitalising traditional values in innovative graphic forms across various media.
Višnjić’s site-specific installation Cave transforms graphic art into an immersive experience. The artist constructs the walls of the cave with gauze and plaster, suspending them from the ceiling in a spiral arrangement. At the centre of the installation, he positions a pedestal that holds a graphic book and a container of fragrance. The book is composed of twenty prints created using Višnjić’s distinctive approach to the collagraph technique, in which the matrix is formed by folding hammer paper using origami techniques. This method evokes the traditional practice of creating folds in fabric, known as faldanje. The matrix is then pressed, coated with a mixture of diluted cellulose glue and linseed oil, and ultimately printed. The result is a motif that Višnjić describes as folded geometry, featuring a regular diamond pattern achieved through the folding of paper, contrasted by organic shapes that emerge from the reactions (or non-reactions) between linseed oil, cellulose glue, and water. The fragility of the matrix causes it to deteriorate with each print, ensuring that every impression is a unique and unrepeatable work of art. The uniqueness of the print in this technique stands in contrast to the repetitive nature of printmaking, yet it illustrates Višnjić’s concept in which the process of creation is more important than the final outcome. Emphasising a holistic approach, the installation Cave engages another sense – smell. A container of essential oils is situated at the centre of the book, and as the pages are flipped, the space is filled with fragrances, offering visitors an intimate, immersive, and comprehensive experience of art.
The second installation, titled Folds, is a direct tribute to the family tradition of fabric folding. By gathering the fabric using traditional textile techniques, Višnjić forges a connection with his ancestors, affirming the roots of his identity. The golden thread used in the embroidery symbolises handmade craftsmanship as a lengthy and almost automated process, while also referencing the life line, a frequent motif in Višnjić’s artwork. Intended for display on a wall in a dimly lit space, this installation invites observers to engage with it not just visually, but also through touch.
The installation titled Garden consists of prints created using the artist’s distinctive technique of collagraphy, combined with natural materials – specifically, soil. These prints, which span the full height of the wall, signify Višnjić’s development both as an artist and as an individual. However, the base of this growth is represented by the soil, planted with herbs at the bottom of the installation, alluding to the artist’s family garden and highlighting the significance of one’s origins and identity in their personal achievements.
In addition to engaging our senses of sight, smell, and touch, Višnjić encourages us to experience this exhibition through our sense of hearing as well. The sound installation Weaving was created by processing the sounds of folding and tearing paper, which permeate the entire artistic process. By incorporating all human senses into the experience and interpretation of Cave, Folds, Garden, and Weaving, Višnjić offers us a rare opportunity to feel grounded and fully present in the moment – an experience free from distractions, where all senses are absorbed and focused on one thing: this exhibition.
Dora Križnik
