Through the programmes of the European Capital of Culture held in the renewed District, one of the most vibrant centres of contemporary creativity in this part of Europe, the city pays tribute to renowned Novi Sad artists – Aleksandar Tišma, Mitar Subotić Suba, and Želimir Žilnik. With new media exhibitions dedicated to Suba, programmes like The Use of Man and The Darkest Wave, as well as the multimedia installation Spirit ofPlace – A Century of the District, presented within the Kaleidoscope of Culture, Novi Sad proudly reaffirms its title as a UNESCO Creative City.
Although the District is still undergoing transformation, it stands as an important legacy of the European Capital of Culture, having hosted numerous artists and celebrated many great figures. One of these is Mitar Subotić Suba, a pioneer of electronic music, whose artistic achievements were showcased in an exhibition during the ECoC title year. Today, Novi Sad preserves the memory of this remarkable artist through a sculpture in his honor, placed at the entrance to Limanski Park, near the District.
Culture continues to thrive in this ’art production’ quarter, which has become synonymous with the Kaleidoscope of Culture. Now in its seventh edition, the festival offers visitors the chance to explore the cultural heritage and artistic worlds of these luminaries through various exhibitions and programmes. These events invite reflection, encourage us to raise new questions, and inspire us to form our own image of culture.
One such exhibition is The Use of Man, opened during the Applied Arts Week of the Kaleidoscope of Culture. Inspired by Aleksandar Tišma’s novel of the same name, the exhibition invites visitors to reflect on the nature of war, asking fundamental questions such as whether we even have a choice in war. The exhibition is open to visitors from Wednesday to Sunday, with two viewing sessions – from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Another significant exhibition, The Darkest Wave, which concluded this year’s Kaleidoscope of Culture, continues to attract attention. It explores key topics and aesthetics of the Black Wave, one of the most controversial movements in Yugoslav cinema. This tribute honors not only Želimir Žilnik, a living legend of Yugoslav film, but also the many pioneers of this movement who dared to think and create differently, despite threats, bans, and punishments. Curated by Monika Bilbija Ponjavić, PhD, the exhibition combines artistic interpretations and archival material to create a space for reflection and recognition of the courage of those who pushed boundaries. It runs until 19 October, across several District venues: Radionica, Biro, and Menza, from Wednesday to Sunday, 4 p.m. to 8p.m.
The District, as an epicentre of contemporary culture, preserves memories through the multimedia exhibition Spirit of Place – A Century of the District, first opened during last year’s Kaleidoscope of Culture. This new media exhibition chronicles the evolution of the area, illustrating how it transformed from an industrial hub into a meeting point for new media and art. Open to the public from Wednesday to Sunday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m, the exhibition uses an innovative approach to bring the century-long history of this place to life.
The District remains a place where the past and future intersect, and where art continuously pulsates, inspiring new generations to create their own stories and images through culture and creativity.
