The Salon of the Belgrade City Museum presents the solo exhibition of Ivan Grubanov titled I Hate You. The exhibition, curated by Daniele Capra, consists of new works of process-based painting. I Hate You offers a selection of the artists latest research. Grubanov’s practice stems from a critical reflection on the processes of creating collective identity and nationalisms carried through the incessant manipulative narration of events. In particular, Grubanov problematizes the very idea underlying nationalism – an uncritical overlap of ethnic, spiritual, cultural, and political aspects. In many of his oil paintings, Grubanov uses the flags of the former Yugoslavia, bearing witness to the trauma of the dissolution of the state – experienced first-hand, as lyrically portrayed in the video Monster – after 30 years, the war is no more, but the experience and the stigma remain. Similarly, he uses national mottos, which are embroidered and painted, losing their vision that holds citizens together to become violent proclamations, declarations of extreme and ethnic belonging. Flags and mottos thus cease to be elements that unite communities under a common vision but become instruments of conflict and unexpected declarations of war against those perceived as different. In his artistic practice, Grubanov relates memory, history, and their symbols to the problematic condition of today. His research explores the cultural heritage of the past and the ways in which inherent political and social values survive in our globalized society. With his canvas paintings and large installations, Grubanov researches the geopolitical and economic circumstances of the present, and reveals the incompleteness and inauthenticity of today’s grand narratives.

Venue: Salon of the Museum of the City of Belgrade

Dates: 9.2-3.3.2024

Artist: Ivan Grubanov

BITE of Art project is co-funded by the European Union.