Kristian Kožul: 1573

Kristian Kožul: “1573. Budale, zlotvori in dvori”
Otvoritev: petek, 11. 9. 2026, 19.00
Galerija Božidar Jakac
Muzej moderne in sodobne umetnosti, Kostanjevica na Krki
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Razstava zagrebškega umetnika Kristiana Kožula z naslovom 1573. Budale, zlotvori in dvori bo v prostoru nekdanje samostanske cerkve GBJ v izrazito ambientalni luči predstavila njegov novejši kiparski ciklus, v katerem – kot je to običajno v njegovi praksi – uporablja najrazličnejše kiparske materiale in se poglobljeno nanaša na soočanje specifičnih zgodovinskih in aktualnih družbenih kontekstov.
Kožul s svojo celostno serijo obravnava sodobno pojmovanje oblasti, represije, državljanske neposlušnosti, upora in žrtvovanja za ideje, pri tem pa se nanaša na izjemno pomemben zgodovinski dogodek, Veliki kmečki upor oziroma Slovensko-hrvaški kmečki punt iz leta 1573. V kompleksni prostorski postavitvi se ob uvajanju groteskne in mračne ikonografije, tako značilne za upodabljanje kmečkega upora, sprašuje se o tem, kakšen je simbolni pomen tega dogodka danes, v obdobju popolne prevlade individualizma, neoliberalizma, potrošništva in avtonomnih tehnologij. Prav tako naslavlja temeljna vprašanja o pregovorni darvinistični človeški naravi, ki naj bi vselej sledila zakonu močnejšega in okrutnejšega.
“Kožulove figure so impozantne, kot da bi bile ustvarjene v spominske ali protokolarne namene, a so lahko hkrati – ravno zaradi svoje pompoznosti – dojete tudi kot groteskne in ironične. Stilizirane podobe nekdanjih veljakov in njihovih razrednih nasprotnikov, so kritični uvid v duha prostora in časa, so karikatura fevdalizma, ki je ideološko utemeljil družbeno neenakost in vzpostavil svojstven kastni sistem, kakor tudi ogledalo sodobnega časa v 21. stoletju, ko se neenakost vrača na velika vrata v nekoliko bolj kompleksni obliki, saj privilegiji niso več utemeljeni le na krvni liniji.”
Iz besedila Mihe Colnerja: Obrazi novega fevdalizma v katalogu razstave.
Razstava je na ogled do 14. 2. 2027.

Kristian Kožul: “1573. Fools, Villains, and Castles”
Opening: Friday, 11 September 2026, at 7pm
Galerija Božidar Jakac
Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Kostanjevica na Krki
The exhibition of Zagreb-based artist Kristian Kožul, entitled 1573. Fools, Villains, and Castles, showcases his most recent sculptural cycle in a distinct ambience of the former monastery church of GBJ. As it is common in his practice, the artist uses a wide variety of sculptural materials, while he focuses profoundly on confronting specific historical as well as current, but still utterly topical, sociopolitical contexts.
With his comprehensive series, Kožul addresses modern understanding of authority, repression, civil disobedience, rebellion and self-sacrifice for ideology, whilst referring to in Slovenian and Croatian cultural milieu an exceptionally significant historical event: the Great Peasant Revolt of 1573. In a complex spatial arrangements, whilst introducing the grotesque and gloomy iconography so characteristic of the depictions of the peasant revolt, he aims to question the symbolic significance of this event today, in an era of the complete dominance of individualism, neoliberalism, consumerism and autonomous technologies. Furthermore, he addresses fundamental questions about the proverbial Darwinian nature of humankind, which is believed to always follow the law of the strongest and the most ruthless.
“Kožul’s figures are imposing, as if they were made for commemorative or protocol purposes, however, they can also be perceived as grotesque and ironic – precisely because of their pomposity. The stylised images of former dignitaries and their class opponents offer a critical insight into the spirit of the space and time, for they are caricatures of feudalism, which ideologically justified social inequality and established a peculiar caste system, as well as mirror the 21st century, a period in which social and societal inequality is returning in a slightly more complex form, since privileges are no longer based solely on the bloodline.”
From the essay by Miha Colner: The Faces of New Feudalism in the exhibition catalogue.
The exhibition is on display until 14 February 2027.