Janko Belaj and the Photography of the Absurd
(Marijan Grakalić, for the exhibition catalogue)
Translated by Aleksandra Imogen Ivir
“the peel of a long-eaten banana
thrown on the table
next to a ceramic vase of wilted mimosas
declares: I have lost my wings”
(Silvija Šesto)
The above verses inspired Janko Belaj to create the photograph Wilted Mimosas, which stands out as the central piece of the entire exhibition, although the other works also do not lag behind in their fundamental intention of affirming the ever-relevant and absurd sentiment of "being thrown into the world". This anachronism was readily exploited by writers and other artists of the 1950s, gathered around the theatre of the absurd, the main representatives of which were Albert Camus, Samuel Beckett and Ionesco. In his own unique way, Belaj follows the sensibility that prevailed there.…Read more
