Art beyond the canvas

Migration is an essential part of human life, and it has shaped cultures and societies for centuries. The Art Gallery ‘s migration and exploring beyond the borders exhibit called "A Place Without Walls" located in Pristina, features installations, sculptures, a stunning collection of paintings and photographs black and white and a mural that some of them explore the theme of migration. From the intense installations to the intricate sculptures, every piece of art is meticulously chosen to tell a compelling story of the artist. In this blog , I will take you on a journey through the exhibit and explore how art can help us understand our own identities and sense of belonging.

The installations at the exhibit offer a unique and immersive experience. Each installation is designed to evoke different sentimentalities and provide a glimpse of the artists life since they were immigrants from Kosovo in Switzerland. Preceding the entry of the Gallery doors, I noticed some installations hovering above the front yard of the gallery. Several 'eye floater' sculptures, a simulacrum of the spots and particulars that tend to appear in a person’s sight while observing the sky. 

One installation titled “The Grey Eminence” featured some grey rubber ladders that gave me a strong feeling of survival but while observing and seeing where this exhibition was sending me it gave me a feeling of the unknown and loneliness just when you climb the stairs and you are looking down seeing if your partner is holding them for you because you are scared of falling. And this feeling appears to the refugees who go towards the unknown but have no one to hold their stairs.

                    

Another installation showcased some wooden stairs that forward had a wall which was very connected to the theme of exploring beyond the borders, but this wall reminded me of the difficulties and the barriers that my country is experiencing with visa liberalization and somehow this problem of traveling freely was displayed by the wall that is ceasing my country to climb the stairs further.

Simultaneously, one exhibit that grabbed my attention was one installation which represented a piece of wood like holding someone behind where only hands were visible. The wood in my estimation obscures the person behind it, borders and barriers can obscure the identities and rendering them invisible and voiceless.

The end portion that I would like to highlight in my blog are five series of photographs in black and white that are a powerful representation of the human timeless memories. Each photo captures a moment in time, telling a story of hope, persistence, and survival. The composite arrangement of all the photographs formed a cohesive jigsaw, ultimately culminating in the representation of a comprehensive motorcycle image which seemed like it was covered in rust just like memories when you leave everything behind in search of a better life.

Conclusively, my observation of the exhibit “ A Place Without Walls” was a powerful and inspiring experience that will encourage visitors to reflect on their own identities and sense of belonging. By immersing yourself in the installations, appraising the black and white photos, appreciating the paintings, and the sculptures, you will connect with the emotions and cultural nuances of the theme. I encourage you to plan a visit and experience the power of art to help you understand the importance of identity and self - belonging.

Qëndresa Neziraj