GORDANA KRSTIĆ-FAYE
Independent researcher, Paris, France, Belgrade, Serbia
gordana70@yahoo.com

SLAVOLJUB – SLAVKO VORKAPIĆ: plakat za srpski koncert i izložbu u Parizu 1916. godine
SLAVOLJUB–SLAVKO VORKAPIĆ: Poster for the Serbian Concert and Exhibition in Paris in 1916

Journal 14/2018 (Museum of Applied Art), pages 41-48

Article category: scientific review

UDC:
766

Abstract (original language):
Slavoljub – Slavko Vorkapić (1894–1976) bio je slikar po obrazovanju, a nakon odlaska iz Pariza u Ameriku, 1920. godine, posvetio se filmu i radio je u Holivudu. Nakon prelaska preko Albanije sa srpskom vojskom i delom naroda tokom Prvog svetskog rata i dolaska u Pariz, Vorkapić je 1916. godine za Srpski koncert i izložbu (17–18. jun 1916) izradio plakat, štampan u tehnici litografije u poznatoj štampariji „Pišo“ (Pichot). Koncert i izložba su priređeni u okviru srpske ratne kampanje koja je trebalo da ukaže na tragičan položaj domovine nakon okupacije i da utiče na dobijanje pomoći. U radu se predstavlja i analizira nedovoljno poznat Vorkapićev plakat, kao i okolnosti i događaji povodom kojih je nastao. Zaključuje se da je ovaj rani i redak sačuvani Vorkapićev rad dragocen i kao istorijski izvor. Izuzetno je redak srpski ratni plakat koji sadrži likovnu predstavu. Sticajem okolnosti, Vorkapić se izradom plakata bavio u prelomnim životnim periodima, prvo kao mladi student izbeglica u Parizu, a potom kao siromašan emigrant u Sjedinjenim Američkim Državama. Ova delatnost je doprinela njegovoj promociji u novim sredinama.

Key words: (original language)
Slavoljub – Slavko Vorkapić, izložba, koncert, Pariz, plakat, Prvi svetski rat

Summary:
Serbian artist Slavoljub–Slavko Vorkapić was educated as a painter but when he left Paris in 1920 for the USA, he dedicated himself to filmmaking. Not many of his applied art works have survived. One of his earliest works is a poster for the Serbian Concert and Exhibition in 1916 in Paris. This is a very rare Serbian war poster with a figural representation. It is also interesting as a World War I document.

When Serbia was attacked at the end of 1915 by Germany, Austro-Hungary and Bulgaria, most of the population, the government and the army went to exile. Vorkapić arrived in Paris. While Serbia was occupied, its government in exile undertook awareness campaigns to obtain help. The Serbian Concert and Exhibition were part of those efforts.

Vorkapić's poster, printed in Paris, was done in the style of academicism. He sought to inform but also to remind the audience of the tragic position of his homeland. Serbia is presented as a resurrected young woman in pain, in the clouds. Her head is turned to her left and it rests on her hand, whereas the other arm is outstretched. Around her feet, there is a crown of thorns; the traditional cup, jug and towel are laid beside her. Two young soldiers, lying on the battlefield, can be seen below. One of them grips a knife tightly, symbolizing the extreme devotion of Serbian soldiers in the struggle for freedom. Mountains and the bright sun, symbolizing the belief in a better future, can be seen above the figure. The scenes are framed by an architectural structure resembling an antique temple.

This was the first public presentation of Vorkapić's work in Paris and it helped him gain attention, just like his posters for movies helped him get noticed in his early days in the United States.

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