Sarajevo Hosts 10th Biennial of Young Artists from Europe and the Mediterranean

The 10th Biennial of Young Artists of Europe and the Mediterranean took place in Sarajevo, Bosnia, from July 17 to 26, 2001, across multiple venues. Organized by an international cultural and artistic association of about 20 countries and 600 members, the event aimed to foster exchange and peaceful cooperation among Mediterranean populations. Nearly 900 creators from 29 nationalities participated. The biennial was structured around 'work areas' rather than disciplines, encompassing visual arts, performance, music, theater, dance, comics, gastronomy, and fashion. A notable trend was the decline of photography, video, and multimedia works in favor of installations not relying on new technologies, exemplified by Marseille-based Peggy Desprès's piece '1,2,3, nous n'irons plus au bois' using foam and fabric silhouettes. In contrast, Slovenian artist Saso Sedlacek presented 'A.S.1 Biotop condition,' a video game console-controlled installation. The theme 'Chaos and Communication' avoided grandiloquent statements on capitalism or cultural homogenization. Italian artist Lucia Bruni's work emphasized the importance of mutual gaze and understanding. The nomadic biennial, with its multiple venues and festive atmosphere, reflected a new generation of creators. The next edition is scheduled for Athens in 2003.