Location: National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Dates: November 13, 2022 – January 13, 2023
The exhibition “Herbarium” by Ismar Čirkinagić marked a significant moment in contemporary art, as it was exhibited in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the first time. This project explored traditional methods of creating an herbarium, with a poignant twist: the plants showcased were collected from mass graves around Prijedor, a region deeply affected by the scars of war.
Ismar Čirkinagić, an artist originally from Prijedor, began working on this latest version of “Herbarium” in April 2022, culminating in 70 unique pieces crafted specifically for the exhibition. The timing of the opening—30 years after the start of the war and following the artist’s forced departure from his hometown due to safety concerns—added a profound layer of reflection on the ongoing impact of conflict in the region.
In his own words, Čirkinagić reflected, “Thirty years is not a little time. We are still living in the war in many ways. There are still traces of the war around us; we are still looking for bodies of missing people, discussing certain topics. There is, again, a new cycle of nationalism. We obviously didn’t leave those demons from the past behind.”
This powerful work of art, which reflected on the legacy of war and violence, was proudly promoted by VII Academy in collaboration with Kuma International, Zemaljski muzej Bosne i Hercegovine, Festival MESS, Ars Aevi Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Danish Arts Council.
The exhibition provided a vital space for reflection on the enduring effects of history and the importance of remembrance.
Learn more about Herbarium by watching this video by Jasmin Brutus: