On 23 November, the National Museum of Modern Art presented an exhibition titled The Silkworm’s Cocoon by Dubravka Lošić, one of Croatia’s leading contemporary visual artists, in its exceptional new venue within the complex of the First Croatian Savings Bank in Oktogon. After an extensive renovation, this space is poised to become a premier exhibition site in Zagreb. The Prime Minister, Andrej Plenković, officially opened the exhibition, underscoring the venue’s cultural significance for Zagreb, Croatia, and beyond. On this occasion, the Croatian Prime Minister noted, among other remarks: “I am delighted that today we are witnessing the addition of yet another cultural landmark in the Lower Town. By allocating this space to the National Museum of Modern Art, the Government is sending a clear message about its commitment to ensuring that the developments in the Upper Town are reflected in the Lower Town as well. This is particularly evident in this beautiful space of the former savings bank in Oktogon, located in the heart of Zagreb. The upcoming renovation will showcase how this space, much like many others we have been restoring in Zagreb after the earthquake, will be revitalised and given a fresh new appearance.”
The Minister of Culture and Media, Nina Obuljen Koržinek, also spoke about the significance of the new space for the National Museum of Modern Art, emotionally describing its opening as an exceptional event and a truly exciting moment. “Having secured spaces for the Croatian Sports Museum, the Croatian Museum of Naïve Art, and the Croatian Museum of History, as well as providing the Croatian Conservation Institute with a space at the Tobacco Factory in Zagreb, and initiating the construction of the second stage of the Croatian National Theatre, which will open next year, we now find ourselves here in another central city location that we have successfully secured for our National Museum of Modern Art. I am pleased that this space is being opened with an exhibition by Dubravka Lošić, not only because she is an artist who continually astonishes us with the power, creativity, and impact of her work, but also because, in a way, her recent experiences reflect the journey of this museum. Sadly, she has lost one studio after another, along with the spaces intended for her exhibitions. Similarly, the National Museum of Modern Art, like many other museums, had to evacuate its collection following the earthquake and begin a restoration process that is both complex and uncertain. I would especially like to commend Branko Franceschi, whose bold initiative – staging an exhibition from the NMMU collection at the Two Palaces museum in Zadar, a space we renovated and opened during our term – demonstrated that the temporary shortage of exhibition spaces in Zagreb does not have to mean that the Croatian cultural community, or the broader public, has to be deprived of access to these remarkable works of Croatian modern art. This was indeed the first time a national institution had stepped outside its own exhibition space and the capital in such a manner, and for that, I must sincerely congratulate him.”
Minister Obuljen Koržinek expressed optimism, hoping to attend more events in fully renovated spaces in the coming months as they open their permanent displays. She shared that this prospect brings her great joy and pride. “At first, we were at a loss, uncertain about how to approach the restoration, and now, in Zagreb alone, we are restoring 15 museums, both municipal and state-owned. We have turned this major catastrophe, which affected us all, into an opportunity to provide Croatia, the capital, and other regions with truly representative, renovated, and modern cultural spaces.”
Referring to the selection of the first exhibition at Oktogon, which, upon completion of its restoration, will span almost 3,000 square metres, Branko Franceschi, the Director of the National Museum of Modern Art, highlighted the symbolism between the exhibition’s title and the role of the NMMU in Croatia’s cultural life. “The symbolism of the silkworm’s cocoon, representing transformation, which we have chosen as the theme for this exhibition in this space, aligns perfectly with what is unfolding here. We are now in a position to become the leading museum butterfly in Zagreb, Croatia, and beyond. The optimistic expectation is that this could happen by the end of 2025. After two years’ absence, we are excited to organise exhibitions in Zagreb again, to reconnect with the Zagreb audience, and we hope they are eager to welcome us back. For now, we are touring Croatia, pragmatically demonstrating that the name change to the National Museum of Modern Art is meaningful, not only in terms of its impact but also its reach.”
“Dubravka Lošić’s exhibition” the director of the NMMU further noted, “was planned three years ago and was originally intended to take place at the museum’s seat in the Vranyczany-Dobrinović Palace. However, due to the ongoing renovation of the palace, this was not possible, so the exhibition was instead set up in Split, in collaboration with colleagues from the Museum of Fine Arts, which is typically known as a White Cube exhibition space. I first saw these works in Dubravka’s studio in Dubrovnik, which was in a state of disrepair, but she revitalised it with her creativity. She then moved into a similar space in Blato on the island of Korčula, which she also restored. As an interesting note, she filled the storage area of a factory, which at its height employed 120 women, with works she created by hand. This is not a retrospective of her work; this exhibition focuses on just one aspect of her artistic output, which spans 40 years of her career. I suggested naming it the silkworm’s cocoon, as the tradition of silkworm farming still exists in Konavle, the region where Dubravka Lošić lives and works. This is also because the works, made from textiles, are tied to the tradition of her family, which ran a manufacturing business.”

Translated by: Robertina Tomić

Images:
(1-10) Opening of the new exhibition space Oktogon NMMU and The Silkworm’s Cocoon exhibition by Dubravka Lošić / Photo: National Museum of Modern Art, Zagreb Goran Vranić
(11 - 12) Opening of the new exhibition space Oktogon NMMU and The Silkworm’s Cocoon exhibition by Dubravka Lošić / Photo: Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia