Mayor Mario Kordić of Mostar hosted representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the most important and oldest world art exhibition, the 60th Venice Biennale.

At the Venice Biennale, which this year carries the theme "Strangers Everywhere," Bosnia and Herzegovina was represented by the Museum of Modern Art of the University of Mostar with the project "Measure of the Sea," authored by academic sculptor Stjepan Skoko and Commissioner and Curator for Bosnia and Herzegovina's performance, Marin Ivanović.

The project "Measure of the Sea" fits excellently into the theme "Stranieri Ovunque/Strangers Everywhere," set by the curator of the 60th Venice Biennale, Adriano Pedrosa, for the year 2024. Additionally, for the first time, Mostar emerges as a culturally relevant center for the selection of a Bosnian-Herzegovinian artist, and for the first time, a Croatian representative, as one of the three constituent peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is presenting their country at the world's largest art event. One of the sponsors of Bosnia and Herzegovina's performance at the Biennale is, alongside the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Federal Ministry of Culture and Sports, the City of Mostar. The important message of unity is demonstrated by the choice of partners for this project, namely the Museum of Contemporary Art of Republika Srpska and the Art Gallery of Bosnia and Herzegovina, representing the whole Bosnia and Herzegovina on the international art scene.

The host of the event, the City of Venice, invited academic painter and graphic artist Safet Zec to present his works in the Pavilion of the City of Venice, where he exhibited his works alongside three other artists living in Venice.

During the meeting at the City Hall, Mayor Kordić emphasized the importance of culture and art for the development of society as a whole and for preserving the values of mutual trust and respect. He expressed his dedication to supporting artists and promised that the City Administration under his leadership would do everything to assist them in their work. The mayor was also presented with a copy of the official catalog of this year's Biennale, which, alongside the performances of all countries, reproduced the works of Stjepan Skoko and Safet Zec.

Before the reception with the mayor, the artist Safet Zec visited the Museum of Modern Art and toured the currently exhibited retrospective of Muhamed Bajramović. In a conversation with the museum director, Marin Ivanović, it was agreed that the largest retrospective exhibition of artist Safet Zec will be held in the Museum of Modern Art in 2025. The last time Zec exhibited in Mostar was in 2018. The Museum of Modern Art will have the honor of presenting works that are currently exhibited in the Venice Pavilion.

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