434:(2023) is the first comprehensive monograph on Driton Selmani, a multivalent Kosovar artist whose work spans various mediums, including sketching, photography, site-specific installations, sculpture, video art, and performance. The publication, as reflected in its title, draws attention to both Selmani and Kosovar artists who have often been "hidden in plain sight" within the broader art world. This richly illustrated and meticulously researched book traces Selmani's artistic career, offering detailed documentation of his exhibitions, making it an essential archive, handbook, and reference for understanding his work and the contemporary art scene in
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The book, designed by Nita Salihu Hoxha from Studio
Permanent, showcases Selmani's artistic journey through visual elements like sketches and drawings, further enriched by comprehensive documentation of his exhibitions. This English-language publication is not only a deep dive into Selmani's practice
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Selmani's artistic practice is characterized by its conceptual depth and versatility across different media. His work often blurs the boundaries between art and everyday life, challenging conventional perceptions of public and private spaces. A recurring theme in his work is the exploration of how
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Selmani's work is marked by its conceptual rigor and the use of humor and irony to critique societal norms. He often employs text and language as central elements in his work, creating pieces that engage viewers on both a visual and intellectual level. His art is deeply rooted in the context of
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proverb. Installed on the roof of the museum's atrium, the typographic sculpture is set against the sky above a pile of broken glass. The ever-shifting cloudscape provides a context and animates the text, but the real thrust of the piece is semiotic. By attributing the qualities of a dog to the
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Selmani is particularly known for his site-specific projects and public art commissions. These works are designed to engage directly with the spaces they inhabit, creating a dialogue between the artwork, its environment, and the public.
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showcased
Selmani's exploration of the intersection between public and private spaces. The exhibition was a critical success, highlighting Selmani's ability to create thought-provoking works that challenge conventional artistic
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where he began to develop his unique conceptual approach to art-making. His early works already exhibited his characteristic blend of personal narrative and critical engagement with broader social issues.
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Selmani's work has been exhibited in various international exhibitions, contributing to his growing reputation as an influential contemporary artist. Some of his notable exhibitions include:
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One of his most prominent public artworks is "Eye to Eye" (2018), created for the
Amsterdam Light Festival. This installation, part of the Light Art Collection in
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with a specific interpretation key. Over 50 artists read the history of the area through the gestures of contemporary heroes, who contributed to the crisis of
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Selmani's art has garnered international recognition, positioning him as a significant figure in the contemporary art scene, particularly within the
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whose practice spans across various media including installation, photography, text, and public art. His works often explore complex themes such as
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clouds, the artist inhabits a poetic terrain resignifying both and wittily affecting the representational relation between word and image.
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features the most extensive and interdisciplinary text on
Selmani to date, positioning his work within the broader framework of
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Since 2018, Driton
Selmani has been developing a distinctive, ongoing project in which he writes love letters on
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His works often provoke reflection on the role of art in society and its potential to influence social change.
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from 4 April 2022 to 25 February 2023, this exhibition takes its title from
Selmani's site-specific work
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history, memory, and identity are constructed and perceived, particularly within the context of
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but also a valuable reference on contemporary art in Kosovo and the broader Balkan region.
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Conceptual art, drawing, photography, painting, sculpture, ready-made artist
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633:"Alex Fisher modifying brilliance: Driton Selmani at Kahán Art Space"
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The exhibition marked a new chapter in the research dedicated to the
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E V E R Y T H I N G (Virtual Museum of Dotršcina, Zagreb, Croatia)
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Red Tape, A brave intervention in a very sensitive place and time
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Manifesta 14 Prishtina (2022): a significant edition of the
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Driton
Selmani's work has had a significant impact on the
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Eye to Eye (Amsterdam Light
Festival, The Netherlands)
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Edited by art historian and curator Lora
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Bigger than Myself, Heroic Voices from ex-Yugoslavia
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313:The Barking of the Clouds Does Not Hurt the Dogs
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608:"Five Balkan Artists to Watch at Manifesta 14"
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Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
