The finalist of the Arte Laguna Prize exhibition, the project Silent Supper by artist Milena ZeVu, which attracted more than 12,000 international visitors during its exhibition in Venice, will also be presented to the Belgrade audience.
The opening will take place on Monday, 23rd December at 19:00 at the Kolarac Endowment Gallery, at Studentski trg 5. The exhibition will last until 11th January 2025. The gallery's opening hours are from 10:00 to 20:00.
Set 60 years in the future, Silent Supper is a ten-minute video work, created as a performance recording by the artist in 2023, that explores the implications of advanced artificial intelligence on human existence. The video focuses on a dining table where the artist, surrounded by 11 performers, participates in a supper, all the time in complete silence.
At the heart of Milena’s research lies a reflection on advanced technology and its role in human relationships. While the artist recognizes the positive values of progressive technology such as AI, she draws attention to its currently unregulated application and its potential negative impact on human values, creativity, spiritual well-being, and our overall sense of purpose.
The curator and art critic states: "What is particularly striking about this work is the absence of verbal communication, as the actors are encouraged to connect in silence. This silent interaction beautifully illustrates the innate sociability of humans and the spontaneous nature of human connection that has an urge to preserve itself. The artist invites us to reconsider the price we pay for our adaptation to the constant development of technology. "Silent Supper" encourages us to consider whether we can find a harmonious balance between embracing technological progress and preserving the core of humanity."
ZeVu shared the vision of her work: "Separated from nature, in our busy and noisy everyday life, bombarded with information, we have lost purpose and a deeper self-perception. Our voices have become silent in the crowd and have become irrelevant... we become a disciplined mass, far from enlightened individuals. Silence is the first step on our path to ourselves".
Milena ZeVu
Milena ZeVu is a multimedia conceptual artist, born in Belgrade, where she graduated from the Academy of Applied Arts. She has been an active artist since 2001. Her creative work includes performances, video works, as well as paintings and sculptures.
Milena is the creator of the ArtWalks concept in which she experiments with various techniques and art forms, from body art, installations and video works, to public performances and the use of the latest technologies. Milena's creative expression transcends conventional boundaries as she takes on a free-thinking and activist role. Through the exploration of fundamental and intriguing themes, she confronts the essential questions that shape our everyday lives.
Photo: Dot in Circle
