The Republic's black mourning ribbon
This work aimed to raise public awareness, as it was the
first action-performance created even before students began their blockades,
highlighting the importance of holding those responsible accountable for the
major tragedy that occurred in Novi Sad (the collapse of a recently renovated
canopy at the entrance to the train station, which killed 16 people).
The subject of the work is the fallen train station canopy,
and a large black shroud, painted with black tempera on Republic Square in
capital city of Belgrade, was created in its original dimensions at a 1:1
scale—measuring 48m by 4.8m.
Following the moment this work was created (November 24,
2024), a chain reaction of responses spread across Serbia, the region, and even
the world.
First, the following weekend, the main city square in Novi Sad was painted red;
then came performances involving umbrellas, and soon after, all universities
began blockades.
The work was symbolically named “The Republic's black
mourning ribbon”, as a counterpart to the black ribbons worn on the chest
as a sign of mourning and respect for the deceased.
It can also be interpreted as a line, a minus sign, a
source, a boundary…
