Robertina Šebjanič in Dubrovnik during the STARST4Water ZeroPollutionAdriatic residency, photo: Tanja Minarik
In her creative practice, Slovenian new media artist Robertina Šebjanič deals with the relationship between man and nature, deeply reflecting on human intervention in the environment and on socio-political and economic structures based on the principle of growth in production and consumption. Her works are interdisciplinary, often very poetic, and at the same time strongly connected with science and other areas of social activity.
In Rijeka, we will present her solo exhibition entitled Tidal (Sy)(e)mpathia, showing two of her recent works: Echinoidea Future – Adriatic Sensing and Atlantic Tales. It encompasses the interdependent relationship between humans and the environment, demonstrating how our actions directly impact the seas and oceans around us, and recognizes the shared experience of all creatures, no matter how small or large.
The exhibition will open in the Filodrammatica Gallery (Korzo 28/1, Rijeka) on Thursday, January 26 at 7 p.m. After the opening, it remains on view until February 17, 2023. Admission is free.
Gallery opening hours:
Monday – Friday: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. & 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. •
Saturday: 4 – 8 p.m. •
Have a listen to Robertina Šebjanič’s audio guide through the exhibition, made by Kulturpunkt.hr (in English)
PRESENTED WORKS:
ECHINOIDEA FUTURE – ADRIATIC SENSING
– installation, 2022
Photo: Tanja Kanazir / Drugo more (Flickr gallery)
The artwork Echinoidea Future – Adriatic Sensing addresses the current biogeological and morphological conditions in the sea urchin environment, which is aquaformed by anthropogenic liquid waste, resulting in low oxygen levels in the seawater. Exploring the stressors of the local/global human footprint, the project demonstrates the resilience of aquatic species. ‘Echinoidea future – Adriatic sensing’’ acts as activation of (sy)(e)mpathia.
The main research was carried out within The Zero Pollution Adriatic residency produced by UR Institute in the frame of STARTS4Water and took place in the coastal region of the southern Adriatic in Dubrovnik.
The work had its premiere at the Ars Electronica festival in Linz in September 2022
Artist (concept, sound & video editing, execution): Robertina Šebjanič
Video support A.I.: Tanja Minarik
Scientific advisory: dr. Alenka Malej, dr. Matjaž Ličer; UR Institute: Gjino Šutić, Filip Grgurević; Institute for Marine and Coastal Research University of Dubrovnik: dr. Marijana Hure, dr. Valter Kozul
Production: UR Institute
Production support: Zavod Sektor, PiNA, Miha Godec, Ivanka Pasalic (Glassblowing), David Drolc (Metal construction)
Special thanks to: Martina Gluhan, Marjan Žitnik
Echinoidea Future – Adriatic Sensing was commissioned by UR Institute (The Zero Pollution Adriatic), within the framework of STARTS4Water, funded by S+T+ARTS, an initiative of the European Commission, launched under the Horizon 2020 research and innovation program.
ATLANTIC TALES: SELACHOPHILIA: CETORHINUS MAXIMUS – LIMARIA HIANS
– immersive audiovisual narrative, 2019-2021 / * only on the opening day of the exhibition
Photo: Tanja Kanazir / Drugo more (Flickr gallery)
Atlantic Tales intertwine mythology and science and speak about the complexity of tackling challenges in the Anthropocene era.
The narrative talks of the depths of the waters and the dark projections for the future if man’s (destructive) footprint continues to grow, as has been the trend in recent decades. The seas and oceans are changing rapidly, and our knowledge about their changes, which are often the result of human intervention, is expanding more slowly and is often wrapped in the long-established separation and distinction between the impact of human activity on land and at sea.
How do the oceans feel the actions of man, how do his actions affect the inhabitants of the oceans and seas, and what could the beings living in them tell us about this if
we understood or wanted to understand them? The protagonists of the story are the basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) and the flame shell (Limaria hians), a small endemic species, both of which the author encountered during her stay on the research science ship RV Celtic Explorer on an expedition in the North Atlantic Ocean.
The immersive installation intertwines the story, sung in the traditional Irish sean-nós style, with the narration of a storyteller and field recordings from above and below the surface of the Atlantic Ocean.
Artist (concept, development, text, sound design): Robertina Šebjanič
Sean-nós vocals: Caitríona Ní Cheannabháin, Róisín Seoighe
Narration: Polona Torkar
Recording of narration: Rok Kovač
Sound mastering: Aleš Hieng Zergon
Production 2019–2020: Aerial/Sparks, Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture
PProduction 2021: Kino Šiška & Zavod Sektor (Project manager: Anja Zver)
☛ Filodrammatica Gallery, Korzo 28/1, Rijeka
EXHIBITION OPENING:
Thursday, 26 January, at 7 p.m.
GALLERY WORKING HOURS:
MON-FRI from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. & from 4 to 8 p.m.
SAT 4 to 8 p.m.
(closed on Sundays and public holidays)
ROBERTINA ŠEBJANIČ
