Radomir Damnjanović Damnjan, one of the most significant and provocative artists from our region, passed away at the age of 90 in Milan. This artist was not just a painter – he was a conceptualist, performer, pioneer of video art, and a visual philosopher who pushed the boundaries of artistic expression for decades. Damnjan graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Belgrade and completed postgraduate studies under Professor Nedeljko Gvozdenović. He first exhibited solo in 1958, and his work was featured at the most prestigious global events such as the Venice Biennale, Documenta in Kassel, and biennials in São Paulo and Tokyo. His works are held in collections of the National Museum in Belgrade, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Georges Pompidou Museum in Paris, and many others. Damnjan was known for his series “Works of Verified Artistic Value,” where he ironically stamped his own works, questioning who decides what is art and what is valuable. His performances, like the cabbage pyramid or the flaming pyramid, were revolutionary for their time, using everyday objects to bring art closer to the people. In the late 1960s, Damnjan abandoned traditional painting and became one of the first Yugoslav artists to use video, performance, and installations as equal art forms. His work was critical and philosophical, constantly questioning social norms and artistic values. Damnjan was an institution of critical thinking and left an indelible mark on art, refusing to be confined to a single style or genre. His death marks the end of an era but also calls for reflection on the boundaries of art and freedom of expression. If you ever thought art should be boring and predictable, Damnjan is here to prove you wrong. So, what do you think – who really decides what art is? Drop a comment and let the debate ignite!
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