08-11.12.2023

Prishtina, Belgrade, Novi Sad – December 8-11, 2023

Art and human rights converged in a harmonious display as Artpolis – Art and Community Center, and the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia unveiled the “KALEIDOSCOPE” exhibition. Commencing in Prishtina on December 8, 2023, the exhibition continued its journey to Belgrade on December 10, and Novi Sad on December 11.

The showcased works of nine young artists are the outcome of intertwined and occasionally conflicting personal narratives of individuals living in two distinct yet interconnected contexts. It represents a collaboration not only at an institutional level but, more importantly, among people who, overcoming limitations, fears, and possible prejudices, engaged in a dialogue.

Yllka Haxhiu, Nevena Deliq, Arilda Bajrami Sadriu, Emnesa Rrukiqi, Marija Mladenović, Butrint Pasha, Learta Ibraj, Ana Novakovíc, and Zana Berisha collaborated with each other, bringing to life their personal narratives where the past and the future converge. Through “Kaleidoscope,” they introduced an alternative perspective to society in the Balkans.

Marija Mladenović from Vranje/Serbia, highlighted that while understanding and celebrating differences is often seen as an achievement, her experience showed that not all differences warrant celebration as they grew and learned together.

“Being a part of this project, I understood the greatest achievement among us, participants, would be (even though it is a cliché) understanding and celebrating our differences. But as we got to know each other better and as we grew together in a way, I learned that not all the differences are there to be celebrated. For example, there was this major difference in our life experiences between my friend Arilda and me that I just couldn’t accept. I have never in my life had an experience of having a gun pointed at my head, and she, my dear friend, has gone through that as a child”, she said.

Yllka Haxhiu, from Gjakova/Kosova, emphasized the transformative nature of the exhibition, exceeding expectations and leading to valuable lessons and newfound opportunities through her participation in the Icebreakers program.

“After every beautiful experience, you gain valuable lessons. There’s always a first time, and the exhibition surpassed my expectations. The positive reception and recognition of my project opened up numerous new and successful opportunities for me. I’m delighted that I participated in the Ice Breakers program, and that the exhibition unfolded beautifully”, said Haxhiu.

Emnesa Rrukiqi, from Drenas/Kosova, expressed how the experience altered her life, prompting reflection on the past and a newfound belief in the healing capacity of art, emphasizing the impact of meeting remarkable individuals.

“I am an artist from Drenas, and I want to express that this entire experience has transformed my life. It prompted me to reflect on the past and reinforced my belief in the healing power of art. Participating in this program fills me with immense pride because I encountered some remarkable individuals whom I’ll always cherish.

I also want to emphasize that sometimes, you have to venture precisely where everyone advises against going. I take great pride in my colleagues and the organizers. Thank you”, she said.

Nevena Delić from Belgrade, Serbia, discussed how participation in the Icebreakers program unveiled unexpected learnings, particularly in appreciating diverse voices and opinions, transcending mere language and cultural differences.

“My experience as a participant in the Icebreakers program was extremely eye-opening and was able to teach me things I was not expecting. Working with people from a different yet very connected context has taught me to appreciate the plurality of voices and opinions, not only in relation to the language and culture. I was more than ready to engage and work with people from Kosovo, but the friendships and human connections that came out of it overcame my expectations. Although the exhibition was challenging, I am extremely proud of what we managed to communicate to the public and to each other”, said Delić.

The program, implemented since March 2015, is led by the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia (HCHR) and will continue for the next three years in collaboration with Artpolis from Prishtina, supported by the European Union.

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Izložba “KALEIDOSKOP” povezuje narative preko granica

Priština, Beograd, Novi Sad – 8-11. decembar 2023.

Umetnost i ljudska prava spojila su se u harmoničnom prikazu kada su Artpolis – Centar za umetnost i zajednicu i Helsinški odbor za ljudska prava u Srbiji predstavili izložbu “KALEIDOSKOP”. Počevši u Prištini 8. decembra 2023, izložba je nastavila svoje putovanje do Beograda 10. decembra, a zatim do Novog Sada 11. decembra.

Izložena dela devet mladih umetnika proizvod su isprepletanih i ponekad sukobljenih ličnih narativa pojedinaca koji žive u dva različita, ali povezana konteksta. To predstavlja saradnju ne samo na institucionalnom nivou, već, što je još važnije, među ljudima koji su, prevazilazeći ograničenja, strahove i moguće predrasude, stupili u dijalog.

Yllka Haxhiu, Nevena Deliq, Arilda Bajrami Sadriu, Emnesa Rrukiqi, Marija Mladenović, Butrint Pasha, Learta Ibraj, Ana Novakovíc i Zana Berisha sarađivali su jedni s drugima, oživljavajući svoje lične narative gde se prošlost i budućnost spajaju. Kroz “Kaleidoskop”, predstavili su alternativnu perspektivu društvu na Balkanu.

Marija Mladenović iz Vranja/Srbija istakla je da, dok se razumevanje i slavlje različitosti često smatraju dostignućem, njen doživljaj pokazuje da sve razlike ne zaslužuju slavlje jer su rasle i učile zajedno.

“Kada sam postala deo ovog projekta, shvatila sam da bi najveće dostignuće među nama, učesnicima, bilo (iako je to kliše) razumevanje i slavlje naših razlika. Ali kako smo se bolje upoznavali i kako smo rasli zajedno, shvatila sam da sve razlike nisu tu da se slave. Na primer, postojala je ova velika razlika u našim životnim iskustvima između moje prijateljice Arilde i mene koju nisam mogla da prihvatim. Nikada u životu nisam doživela da mi je pištolj uperen u glavu, a ona, moja draga prijateljica, prošla je kroz to kao dete”, rekla je ona.

Yllka Haxhiu iz Đakovice/Kosovo naglasila je transformišuću prirodu izložbe, premašujući očekivanja i vodeći do dragocenih lekcija i novih prilika kroz njeno učešće u programu Icebreakers.

“Nakon svakog lepog iskustva steknete dragocene lekcije. Uvek postoji prvi put, a izložba je nadmašila moja očekivanja. Pozitivni prijem i prepoznavanje mog projekta otvorili su brojne nove i uspešne prilike za mene. Radujem se što sam učestvovala u programu Icebreakers, i što se izložba lepo odvijala”, rekla je Haxhiu.

Emnesa Rrukiqi iz Drenice/Kosovo izrazila je kako je iskustvo promenilo njen život, podstičući razmišljanje o prošlosti i novopronađenom verom u isceliteljsku moć umetnosti, ističući uticaj susreta s izuzetnim pojedincima.

“Ja sam umetnica iz Drenice, i želim izraziti da je ovo celokupno iskustvo transformisalo moj život. Nateralo me da razmislim o prošlosti i učvrstilo moje uverenje u isceliteljsku moć umetnosti. Učešće u ovom programu ispunjava me ogromnim ponosom jer sam srela neke izuzetne pojedince koje ću zauvek ceniti. Takođe želim naglasiti da ponekad morate krenuti tamo gde svi savetuju da ne idete. Ponosna sam na svoje kolege i organizatore. Hvala vam”, rekla je ona.

Nevena Delić iz Beograda, Srbija, pričala je o tome kako je učešće u programu Icebreakers otkrilo neočekivane naučene lekcije, posebno u cenjenju različitih glasova i mišljenja, prevazilazeći samo jezičke i kulturne razlike.

“Moj doživljaj kao učesnice programa Icebreakers bio je izuzetno prosvetljujuć i uspeo je da me nauči stvarima koje nisam očekivala. Rad s ljudima iz drugačijeg, ali veoma povezanog konteksta naučio me da cenim raznolikost glasova i mišljenja, ne samo u vezi s jezikom i kulturom. Bila sam više nego spremn da sarađujem s ljudima iz Kosova, ali prijateljstva i ljudske veze koje su iz toga proizašle prevazišle su moja očekivanja. Iako je izložba bila izazovna, izuzetno sam ponosna na ono što smo uspeli da iskomuniciramo javnosti i jedni drugima”, rekla je Delić.

Program, implementiran od marta 2015. godine, vodi Helsinški odbor za ljudska prava u Srbiji (HCHR) i nastaviće se naredne tri godine u saradnji s Artpolisom iz Prištine, uz podršku Evropske unije.