GRAFFITI: LJUBLJANA
author: Jana Nikolić
photographs: Igor Oršolić i Jana Nikolić
January 2007

translation into English: Danijela Tomazović
November 2009

Ljubljana graffiti have a completely different atmosphere which is largely formed by the surrounding, given by an organized and small capital city. Seems as if there are not too many casual and unneeded scratches made out of pure boredom and lack of content. Here graffiti are reduced to rationalized street communication of the local or guest spray-calligraphists, designer-activists which add to the existing situation. There are exactly as many as to oppose the brilliantly tidy facades of the city center.

The script of different texts written in several languages in a few places around the town is distinctive. In this series there is no twist in the form and content relation, the words written – may seem as the inspiration of the moment – carry lightness and freshness, beautify in a simple and unobtrusive way. I can almost refer to them as to “female” graffiti.

Something that would be the energetic sport team supporting graffiti at the grey decrepit Belgrade wall, at glance even interpreted as graffiti with political connotation, here gets unexpectedly different meaning. On the other wall with horizontal split, painted in fresh light brown color, next to the shrub of winter flowers in a large pot, no pattern can be brutal, activist or threatening. Ljubljana made Ljubljana graffiti to be a wonderful mirage.

It is refreshing when everyday life is warming white paper which can be toned in accordance with the day and the mood. When grey is the local tone, all colors become dirty.

Theme: GRAFFITI
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TKV
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