Bojana Videkanić's 'Nonaligned Modernism' Examines Yugoslavia's Unique Socialist Postcolonial Aesthetics
In her 2020 publication, 'Nonaligned Modernism: Socialist Postcolonial Aesthetics in Yugoslavia, 1945-1985,' Bojana Videkanić explores the cultural dynamics of Yugoslavia during the Cold War. Following its split from Stalin in 1948, the country adopted a 'third way' through the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), which was initiated in Belgrade in 1961. Videkanić presents the concept of 'Nonaligned Modernism,' which sets itself apart from other forms of socialist modernism, by analyzing cultural initiatives and global interactions, such as the evolution from socialist realism and cultural diplomacy illustrated by the Venice Biennale and MoMA. Significant examples include the Ljubljana Biennale of Graphic Arts (established in 1955) and the Museum of African Art in Belgrade (1977). The 2018 exhibition at MoMA, 'Toward a Concrete Utopia,' signifies a resurgence of interest in this narrative.
Key facts
- Bojana Videkanić published 'Nonaligned Modernism: Socialist Postcolonial Aesthetics in Yugoslavia, 1945-1985' in 2020 with McGill-Queen’s University Press.
- Yugoslavia broke from the Soviet Union in 1948 after Josip Broz Tito's split with Stalin.
- The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) was formally established in Belgrade in 1961, following principles from the 1955 Bandung Conference.
- Yugoslavia established diplomatic relations with Ethiopia in 1952 and Tito began visiting Third World countries in 1954.
- The term 'nonaligned modernism' was first used by artist and journalist Armin Medosch in his work on the New Tendencies movement.
- Key cultural institutions discussed include the Museum of African Art in Belgrade (opened 1977) and the Gallery of Non-Aligned Countries in Titograd (opened 1988).
- The Ljubljana Biennale of Graphic Arts, founded in 1955, became a key site for nonaligned cultural diplomacy, with Tito as sponsor from 1959.
- Videkanić's analysis is influenced by postcolonial theorists like Frantz Fanon, Chika Okeke-Agulu, and Esther Gabara.
Entities
Artists
- Bojana Videkanić
- Armin Medosch
- Miroslav Krleža
- Stanko Lasić
- Sveta Lukić
- Tran Van Dinh
- Chika Okeke-Agulu
- Esther Gabara
- Frantz Fanon
- Josip Broz Tito
- Jovanka Broz
- Stalin
Institutions
- McGill-Queen’s University Press
- Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)
- Cominform
- Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
- Venice Biennale
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
- Yugoslav Committee for International Cultural Relations
- Non-Aligned News Agency Pool (NANAP)
- Tanjug
- Yugoslav Union of Fine Artists
- Ljubljana Biennale of Graphic Arts
- Biennale of Mediterranean Countries in Alexandria
- documenta
- Museum of African Art and Culture
- Gallery of Non-Aligned Countries
- ARTMargins Online
- McGill-Queen's University Press
Locations
- Yugoslavia
- Belgrade
- Toronto
- Soviet Union
- USA
- Ethiopia
- Africa
- Asia
- Morocco
- Tunis
- Algeria
- Indochina
- Bandung
- Eastern Europe
- Zagreb
- France
- Austro-Hungarian Empire
- Balkans
- Bosnian-Croatian border
- Brijuni
- Pula
- Senegal
- Mali
- Guinea
- Počitelj
- Strumica
- Prilep
- Titograd
- Podgorica
- Montenegro
- Kassel
- Alexandria
- Ljubljana
- Canada
Sources
- ARTMargins —
- ARTMargins —