Darja bajagić venice biennale

Hou zichao
Darja bajagić book
Press 2020.

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The Power & Vitality Of The Image: An Interview Of Controversial Artist Darja Bajagic

ADAM LEHRER: I assume you knew that showing alongside Boyd Rice at Greenspon might ruffle some feathers, but did you anticipate at all that the show would be so offensive to others that it might actually get cancelled?

DARJA BAJAGIĆ: I did not expect any feathers to be ruffled. Only two years ago, in fact, Boyd took part in a group show at Mitchell Algus Gallery. So, I definitely did not foresee the show’s cancellation. The show itself did not cause offense; what generated offense was a series of falsities spread on a “private” listserv by a number of terribly misinformed “art world” persons. As a result of subsequent harassment directed at the gallerist by a select number of those aforementioned persons, including threats to the gallerist’s well-being as well as the gallery’s, the show’s opening was cancelled. Nevertheless, it was installed, and viewable by appointment.

LEHRER: How did you come into contact with Boyd Rice? Had you been a fan of his music and writing? What was it

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Darja Bajagić

Darja Bajagić was born in 1990 in Podgorica, Montenegro, and raised in Egypt and the United States. In 2014, she became the first national of Montenegro to graduate with a Master of Fine Arts from the Yale University School of Art.
Bajagić explores the ambivalence of the image, that is, dualistic representation, symbolism, and meaning. Referencing a diverse range of sources, such as dark-web sites, news media content, and religious histories, to name a few, her works—complex iconographical representations that are composed of layers of contemplated phenomena—unravel and develop before us in stages.
Selected institutional solo exhibitions include Goregeous, Le Confort Moderne, Poitiers, France (2020); Born Losers, Hessel Museum of Art, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY (2018); Unlimited Hate, Künstlerhaus, Halle für Kunst & Medien (KM-), Graz, Austria (2016). Selected institutional group exhibitions have taken place at National Gallery Prague, Czech Republic (2021); Casino Luxembourg (2020); Futura Centre for Contemporary Art, Prague, Czech Republic (

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I used to think that people could think for themselves. I was wrong. You need me to tell you what to think. That is why my own words offend me. I don’t want to be telling anybody what to think. But, you’re all so fucking stupid. You need somebody to tell you what to think. That somebody might as well be me. This is why I am sure my words will offend others, who are even stupider than you are. Now, that’s hard to believe! I know that the last thing you probably want to do is read a bunch of words. Well, tough titties! You cretins are going to read anyway! If you do, you’ll get a reward that is calculated to frighten, amuse, and nauseate you. I’ll give you the goods! I’ll give you the gift that keeps on giving! Because, in a strange way, I love you. Gosh, I’m blushing! I love you dummies so much! My cute little whipping boys! What would I be without you? What fun would I have? I’ll give you what you really want: the truly repulsive. I’m just a sharing kind of guy. You bunch of fuckin losers.

HD-video, 17’ 23”