Grisia 2003
This year as well, on the second
hot and blistering August Sunday, the Grisia of Rovinj was a place of
gathering and happening. In its bosom, the most famous ancient street
of Rovinj accepted exactly 281 artists who shared with the curious viewers
their inner joys, fantasies, and even fears painted on a painting or
moulded in a sculpture. There was something for everyone: paintings of
art degree painters, self-taught painters, children and students – from
abstract work and installations, recognizeable landscapes and vistas
of Rovinj and Istria, through abundance of effective jewellery, even
those made of natural and ecological materials to silk scarves, paper flowers
… The first award of the city of Rovinj (7 thousand Kuna and a prosciutto) won a young art degree painter Tea Bičić and the second award of the city of Rovinj (4 Thousand Kuna and cheese) her academic colleague Davor Rapaić. The award of the Regional Museum of Rovinj was given to Darija Stipanić, while the Applied Art award received Danijela Milanović. Apart from that, thanks to many enthusiasts nine sponsor awards were given to Andi Pekica, Davor Kliman, Koraljka Kovač, Fulvio Juričić, Zvjezdana Marguš Prohaska, Nikola Ražov, Elvis Berton, Rajko Svilar and one of the doyens of the Grisia of Rovinj – Ljubo Škrnjug. Grisia of Rovinj has repeatedly proven this year that, despite of the passage of time as well as different opinions on what it should be like in the future, it cannot be resisted. Since, everyone who exhibited there in the last or previous years returns to it with a greater zeal and artistic enthusiasm.
Every year, on the second Sunday in August,the same scene is repeated. The day before Grisia, the weather forecast is followed, since, of course, it is the greatest outdoor exhibition in Croatia. A whole-night watch follows it in order to take the best locations – to place the paintings to the most protruding walls, to hang them on the wooden shutters or stone stairways.
Along the street comes
to minor disputes, comments on whether the paintings were worth exhibiting
and whether the author deserves to exhibit in Grisia. However, some new
friendships are made as well, new relationships, and future new artists
are “born”, who will with the power of their paint brush and fantasy
of colours create new beauty for us again, or for some people after us
to admire them with the same intensity, for another 50 odd years which
is the length of the Grisia art event. If Rovinj is one of the most beautiful
places on the coast, then it is its Grisia, which is a pulsating pearl
that changes colour year after year without ever losing its brilliance.
text: N.O.Radić - Glas Istre |