Ars Aevi Museum of Contemporary Art Sarajevo proudly introduces ‘Cease,’ a public art project by Šejla Kamerić, curated by Giulia Foscari, now prominently displayed at Campo Santo Stefano in Venice, as part of the 60th International Art Exhibition La Biennale di Venezia. Renowned for her poignant intimacy and social commentary, Kamerić’s ‘Cease’ delivers a political message of peace. Resembling a tattered white flag at half-mast, the sculpture serves as a resolute call for vitality amid conflict, a theme deeply rooted in Kamerić’s experience as a survivor of the Siege of Sarajevo.
Commissioned independently from divisive structures in her home country, ‘Cease’ will be publicly showcased during the Biennale’s inaugural month, inviting contemplation and dialogue. Curated by Giulia Foscari, an architect and activist known for her work in environmental and intergenerational justice, ‘Cease’ incorporates contributions from intellectuals, enhancing its impact through accompanying publications and discussions.
The debut event is scheduled for noon on April 18th at Campo Santo Stefano, Venice, marking a significant moment in contemporary art discourse. Supported by a consortium of institutions including UNESCO, City of Sarajevo, and Galerie Tanja Wagner Berlin, ‘Cease’ serves as evidence of cooperation and the enduring strength of artistic expression. Šejla Kamerić‘s diverse artistic practice spans film, photography, installations, and more, addressing themes of memory, resistance, and women’s struggle. Emphasizing empathy as the founding communicative mechanism between herself, her subjects, and spectators, Kamerić both warns of and creates places of power and political arenas. Her work is featured in prestigious international collections including TATE Modern, MACBA Barcelona, Contemporary Art Museum in Zagreb and others. Kamerić has exhibited individually in numerous renowned institutions worldwide, while her films have been screened at over 40 international film festivals. Previously, Kamerić received The CF Routes Princess Margriet Award for Cultural Diversity and in 2007 and a DAAD-Berlin Artist Residency Fellowship in 2007.
