Looking through the lens: ‘A Snapshot of Serbia’
JESSICA ALCOCER
THE SIGNAL
Taking a picture is capturing a moment in time, locking into place a scene that has just been experienced. Pictures serve as a reminder of an event, display history and let people see something they never got to experience. Even more, photographs can tell a story.
That is precisely what the “A Snapshot of Serbia” exhibit, currently on display in the UHCL Art Gallery, has done with its breathtaking portrayal of the vibrant southeastern European city of Belgrade, Serbia.
The exhibition of works features photos by professors and students of the Faculty of Applied Arts and the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Arts in Belgrade.
Looking along the gallery’s main wall, different themes emerge with each photograph. The color tones flow through the array of strategically placed pictures. Turning to the next arrangement of pictures, a vivacious pop of red jumps from the wall, drawing viewers back into the artwork.
The assortment of works varies from landscapes and portraiture to photographic installations. The exhibit presents a glance into the modern ways of life for these artists living in Serbia. The University of Arts in Belgrade is a member of UHCL’s International Arts consortium, coordinated by UHCL Professor of Art, Sandria Hu, since 2003.
“The purpose of the consortium is for the international exchange of art and dialogue between all of the participating institutions in which arts faculty and students collaborate and study abroad through exchange workshops, lectures and exhibitions,” Hu said.
The goal is to cultivate cultural learning for UHCL students. Artists from across the world come to UHCL to share their artistic procedure and things that are important to their culture. Members from UHCL are sent to other nations as well to learn about other countries’ art and cultures.
As a winter storm approached Houston Jan. 23 — coincidentally the same day as the exhibit’s opening reception — temperatures dropped due to a polar vortex pushing its way through Texas. The cold weather didn’t stop art enthusiasts such as Thanh Nguyen, art and design major, from coming to check out the exhibit’s opening night.
“It’s very creative; each picture has its own element, and I like it so far,” Nguyen said.
More then 30 photographs hang along the walls of the gallery, as well as on a removable wall to the right of the space. Coordinator of Audience Development Jeffrey Bowen said there are more pictures in the gallery than usual; they double hung photographs in some areas on account of the volume of pictures curated by Galveston Arts Center curator Clint Willour.
Tatarević, student, Faculty of
Applied Arts, University of Arts in
Belgrade, is on display in “A
Snapshot of Serbia,” an exhibit at
the UHCL Art Gallery. (JAUMARRO CUFFEE/THE SIGNAL)
Bowen traveled to Belgrade last summer to personally pick up the photos and bring them to UHCL.
“I picked the photos up and used a reinforced suitcase that’s protective of the artwork,” Bowen said. “That was a wonderful experience personally, not only to transport the artworks, but see the facilities and the culture.”
Gallery Assistant Karen Fiscus was part of the layout process of the exhibit pieces.
“It was a good show to install, and I’m really pleased how it turned out,” Fiscus said.
Two of the photographers featured in the exhibit, Mileta Prodanovic and Vladimir Tatarevic, professors from the University of Arts in Belgrade, Serbia, will visit UHCL March 13 to speak in the UHCL Art Gallery at 6 p.m.
“Well as a professor I must be happy that there are a lot of my student works,” Prodanovic said. “I imagine that my work is just a small part of a big photo event, and it is very good to be part of the event, but I am really eager to feel the atmosphere of Texas.”
Art means something different to each individual. This exhibit is a platform that showcases a culture many may have not yet experienced. The sheer authenticity and simplistic beauty of Belgrade that is captured in all of the pictures is stunning. “A Snapshot of Serbia” is a must-see exhibit for everyone.
The UHCL Art Gallery is located on the first level of the Bayou Building. Its hours are Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday, 9 a.m. to noon. The gallery is closed on the weekends. Admission is always free. To find out about upcoming events and more information about the UHCL Art Gallery visit www.uhcl.edu/artgallery.
