Project description: The Reflektor Gallery is one of the rare non-institutional galleries outside of Belgrade and Novi Sad. Over seven years, it has successfully built a strong reputation among both experts and the general public, evidenced by 54 artists from Serbia, the region, and Europe applying to exhibit in the gallery in 2023. The Gallery Council approved the annual program supported by the CfD project. In 2023, in the former barracks of the 4th Regiment in Užice, 14 solo and 2 group exhibitions by artists from Serbia, the region, and abroad were organized. In addition to exhibitions, the now traditional Video Park Festival took place, where video artists from around the world showcased their experimental and documentary video works and films. Various workshops were also held, despite the challenges: reduced cultural budgets at both ministerial and local levels, and pressures and attacks from local authorities on the space used by artists, the gallery, and the local community. The community’s involvement extended beyond attending exhibition openings and closings, as they engaged in lively conversations with artists and guided tours. Some programs even involved active audience participation in the production of artworks. Throughout 2023, the exhibitions spanned a wide range of media, from classical painting, various installations, objects, drawings, graphics, video works, photography, performances, and other expressive mediums used by contemporary artists. One of the gallery’s main objectives is to showcase the youngest generation of artists, for whom exhibiting in Reflektor is often their first solo, professional exhibition. After seven years of operation, Reflektor has become a key venue where young artists exhibit their work for the first time, facing the public, critics, and curators. Each new exhibition and visitor is a success for the gallery, considering the circumstances under which it operates. The support from the CfD project, the large number of applications, and the quality program throughout 2023 have contributed to increasing visibility and greater public interest in the gallery’s events and content.
Grant amount: 568,331.87 RSD
