Critical Potential and Subversiveness of Young Emerging Artists Working Alongside Art Institutions: Milena Ivić What are we supposed to do with all this freedom [Šta da radimo sa svom ovom slobodom

Abstract

This study concerns the concept of freedom, radically questioning the autonomy of contemporary art and institutions. The issue of freedom of expression, freedom of speech and artistic freedom will be considered through a particular artistic event that serves as a case study. This event happened in October of 2020 in Banja Luka, BiH (Bosnia and Herzegovina). It was a solo exhibition by contemporary artist Milena Ivić from Banja Luka, organized and curated by the Museum of Contemporary Art of the Republic of Srpska (MSURS) entitled What are we supposed to do with all this freedom [Šta da radimo sa svom ovom slobodom]. It successfully opened one evening, and by the following day it had to be withdrawn and closed to the public. The text in the first part presents an insight into the context of the mentioned exhibition and the structure of the MSURS as the main art institution in this part of BiH. The second part of the text offers a look at certain patterns within the paradigm of contemporary art, with a look at the feminist framework of the artist. The third and final part points out the paradoxical principles of the autonomy of art and shows how the institution transforms subversiveness and obstructs progressiveness by perpetuating the status quo. Article received: December 24, 2021; Article accepted: February 1, 2022; Published online: April 15, 2022; Review article