The guest exhibition “In the Mirror” from the cycle of the National Museum of Modern Art (NMMU) in Zagreb was officially opened on Friday at the Krapina City Gallery. The audience was first welcomed by Grozdana Pavlović, director of the Krapina Public Open School, while Ivica Hršak, deputy mayor of Krapina, officially opened the exhibition.
Branko Franceschi, director of the National Museum of Modern Art in Zagreb, highlighted the benefits of the collaboration between the institution and the Krapina City Gallery, expressing his wish for it to continue in the future. On this occasion, he thanked everyone involved in organising the exhibition.
Lada Bošnjak Velagić, museum advisor and author of the curatorial concept, spoke about the guest exhibition, which interprets the phenomenon of reflection in the broadest spectrum of manifestation and interpretation. The display gathers around 40 artworks representing all segments of the National Museum of Modern Art in Zagreb collection, tracking the development of Croatian visual modernity from the beginning of the 20th century to the present day.
The reflection in the mirror imposes itself as a unique metaphor for art that remembers everything and reveals everything. The mirror as a utilitarian object generally symbolises beauty, but also vanity and transience, while its optical potential for infinite repetition, and possible distortion, is artistically extremely intriguing and visually particularly attractive.
Alongside masterpieces by masters such as Vladimir Becić, Josip Račić and Ivo Režek, works by painting giants such as Emanuel Vidović, Ferdo Kovačević and Leo Junek are on display. The magic of reflections also inspired graphic artists, sculptors and photographers.
The National Museum of Modern Art launched the “NMMU as Guest” cycle in 2022 with the aim of continuing to present the collection through guest phenomenological exhibitions during the renovation of the main museum building. The soprano Barbara Suhodolčan Vrbički, accompanied by Tomislav Parmać on the piano, was responsible for the appropriate musical programme.
The exhibition “In the Mirror” can be viewed at the Gallery until 26 November, from Tuesday to Friday between 10:00 and 15:00, and on Saturdays between 10:00 and 17:00. The exhibition was financially supported by the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia, the City of Krapina and the Krapina-Zagorje County.
