In October, Slovenian Independent Illustration Biennale (BSNI) returns to Kino Šiška and Ljubljana in its fourth edition. Established in 2007, this independent platform has emerged from the need to redefine the meaning of illustration than was long outdone by contemporary creative practices. To make matters worse, a whole generation of young artists was pushed aside
In October, Slovenian Independent Illustration Biennale (BSNI) returns to Kino Šiška and Ljubljana in its fourth edition. Established in 2007, this independent platform has emerged from the need to redefine the meaning of illustration than was long outdone by contemporary creative practices. To make matters worse, a whole generation of young artists was pushed aside by the unresponsive discipline. This is because, as a rule, contemporary illustration was long considered a parameter of commercial and art production, which put on hold the potentials that are usually associated with its derivatives, such as roguishness, social critique, hybridity, heterogeneity and the ease of overcoming the obstacles among various types of expression.
With each new edition, the biennale has proven that authors are not lured to voluntary creation by the colour of money and fame, rather, they are driven by enthusiasm, curiosity, imagination and freshness. To most of them, narrative expression is part of their lifestyle, and the freedom and independence to create outside the restricted definitions is the key condition of creativity, even when it comes to commercial projects.
The Biennale omnibus therefore provides a colourful and propulsive platform to redefine illustration theoretically, at the same time presenting its experimental dimensions.
The current Slovenian Independent Illustration Biennale will again host above 24 artists and art collectives creating at borders of various practices. It includes an exhibition presenting the works of all participating artists as well as five solo projects held at various venues across Ljubljana. Kino Šiška will also host five accompanying events focusing on establishing links between the Independent Biennale and Aalto University from Helsinki, Finland.
Selection of artists for the current edition (which was made by artists from the previous selection): Zoran Pungerčar, Miroslav Erjavec, Matija Medved, Dunja Janković, Turbo Comix Collective (Johanna Marcade and Bruno Tolica), Renata Šifrar, Gregor Balog, Ana Baraga, Davor Gromilović, Dušan Moldovan, Kitsch Nitsch (David Kladnik and Jaka Neon), Kaja Kisilak, Eva Lucija Kozak, Aphra Tesla, Dolores Kolores (Poni Mafia), Neža Jurman, Leon Zuodar, Nejc87, Matej Jarc, Anka Kočevar, Branko Humar, Tanja Semion, Biba Košmerl.
