The exhibition Josip Klarica, Light in Silver and Gold – In memoriam was presented at the press conference held on 14 September, at the National Museum of Modern Art. Branko Franceschi, director of the NMMA and author of the exhibition and set-up, presented, in the presence of the artist’s family, this exhibition dedicated to one of the most important Croatian contemporary photographers, who passed away suddenly in March 2020. Art historian and art critic Želimir Koščević, author of an essay in the exhibition catalogue, also spoke about Klarica’s work. The artist’s long-term partner Edda Dubravec expressed her gratitude on behalf of Josip Klarica’s family.
The presentation of the artist’s oeuvre in the six halls on the first floor of the Vranyczany Palace, conceived by art historian Branko Franceschi, will encompass the period from the 1970s to the more recent works created just before the artist’s death. Around a hundred of the photographs on display are part of the family bequest with only a small number from private collections.
The general and professional public will have the distinct pleasure to enjoy the recognizable poetic black-and-white depictions of Prague, the city where Klarica studied and spent a period of his life, frames of surreal still lifes and mystical panoramas of Maksimir, his favourite park in the vicinity of which he lived and visited almost every day to observe and photograph it.
The documentary material such as the photographic equipment and cameras he took photos with, props he used to capture still lifes will accompany the artistic material and acquaint the audience with the context of its creation.
A richly illustrated bilingual catalogue with a foreword by Branko Franceschi, director of the National Museum of Modern Art and an essay by art historian and art critic Želimir Koščević will accompany the exhibition. The program will also include guided tours and workshops for children and adults, conversations with family members, authors and photographers, of course all to the extent that the epidemiological situation will allow.

Translated by: Robertina Tomić
Photo: Goran Vranić ©Nacionalni muzej moderne umjetnosti