PROJECT ‘DOWN BY THE RIVER’
‘Down by the River’ is a project from the official program of the European Capital of Culture, Nova Gorica – Gorizia 2025. The project aims to connect the areas along the Soča River by installing public sculptures, located from the river’s source in the Slovenian Alps to its mouth in the Italian part of the Gulf of Trieste. Internationally recognized artists create the sculptures, each using their technique and approach to the theme of intertwining art and nature. Most of the sculptures will be created during the artist’s residency in the location where their work will be installed. We aim to engage the local community through various public events and generate interest in the emerging public sculptures.
One of the public sculptures will be installed in Tolmin, where Croatian academic sculptor Marijan Mirt will reside, and be created in the first half of July 2024. Mirt has received several awards for his work, including the Rihard Jakopič Award (2020) and two gold medals at the Paris Art Salon (2017/2022). He will enrich the Soča River’s flow with a sculpture that represents a unique blend of sculpture and painting. For his works, he uses mixed techniques, and for the ‘Down to the River’ project, he will create an impressive sculpture made of wire and covered with clay, following the idea of using natural materials that are returned to nature in the form of artworks.
SCULPTURE WORKSHOP ‘DOWN TO THE RIVER’
Mirts stay in Tolmin coincides with this year’s 25th edition of the Sajeta Festival, where he will lead a sculpture workshop as part of the residency. During the multi-day workshop, participants will learn modeling techniques. The basis of the sculpture will be a structure made of welded iron, covered with Teraton clay. Participants will create based on their ideas, and the mentor encourages participants to think about what they want to create before the workshop begins and to present their wishes at the first meeting.
The sculptures created by the participants in the workshop will remain with them as materializations of their ideas. The workshop is intended for both complete beginners and those who already have experience in sculptural expression. The first meeting will be on Wednesday, July 3rd, at 1 pm at Sotočje in Tolmin, and the workshop will continue daily until Saturday, July 6th, at 10 am at the same location.
Workshop fee: 50€
Mandatory registration!
For information and registration, please email: office@sajeta.org