Another work of art by the Serbian artist Andrej Josifovski, better known as the Pianist, appeared on the building at Jevremova 45. The collection of Belgrade street art now includes a mural by the first Serbian architect Jelisaveta Načić.
The mural was created as part of the "Exceptional Women of Serbia" project initiated by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. As announced by the embassy, the main goal is to raise awareness about the position of women and improve their position in society through street art in nine cities in Serbia.
Architecture at an enviable level
However, Josifovski told the "Vremena" portal that his personal motivation, as an architect, was to remind that architecture is a sublime art.
"I specifically chose Jelisaveta Nacić, it was my desire and inspiration to paint her mural, considering that I am an architect and I work at the university as a teacher. Another motivation for me was to repay the debt to society and the profession in this way. Regardless of the fact that, in the time we live in, architecture is at an unenviable level. We can see all the crime that is happening in the Law on Planning and Construction and everything else that accompanies our profession. I think it is an important message that the mural of a woman, an intellectual who fought for true values, is painted in the city center", says Josifovski.
He admits that his inspiration was not feminism and believes that dealing with this topic requires a detailed and thorough approach.
"I know many women who are very good at their jobs and much more successful than men in some cases. I didn't think in that direction because for me everyone is equal. I experienced it completely differently. Even when I applied for the 'Exceptional Women of Serbia' competition, it was wonderful and sublime for me, but without the idea of feminism", says Josifovski.
Contribution by Jelisaveta Nacić
Jelisaveta Nacić was the first graduate architect in the generation of students who studied for this profession in Serbia, despite the disapproval of her family.
Jelisaveta erected a triumphal arch in Terazije in honor of Serbian soldiers returning from the Balkan Wars, on which was written "Not all Serbs are freed.". It was this that led to a turning point in her personal and professional life. Because of the inscription, she was deported to the Nedzider camp in Hungary. Jelisaveta met her future husband, the intellectual and revolutionary Luka Lukaj, right in the camp.
After the end of the war, they lived for a short time in Belgrade with their daughter Lucia, then in Shkodër, where they participated in the Albanian uprising, and after that in Dubrovnik. Jelisaveta always unreservedly supported Luka's political views and activities.
Besides being the first woman in her profession, she was also very successful and advanced in her profession. Everything she created remained in Belgrade. We can thank Jelisaveta Nacić for the imposing building of the "King Peter the First" elementary school.
She also designed the first planned residential building in the Balkans, a complex of workers' apartments near Bajlonija market, the first tuberculosis hospital, the first circular kiln for making bricks, and she is also responsible for the design of numerous architectural landmarks in Serbia, primarily in Belgrade, such as Mal the stairs on Kalemegdan and the church of Alexander Nevsky on Dorćol.
Urban art as a channel for illuminating the state of society
Street art is more and more lively in Belgrade. Aphorisms, stencils, complex graphic solutions and murals can be seen more and more often on facades and walls, through which artists express their ideas and emotions about the state of society.
Belgrade's graffiti scene is rich in masterpieces created by artists who paint cities around the world.
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