Publish Date: 10.05.2016
Category: News from the University
Today, the Chancellor of the University of Ljubljana, Prof. Dr. Ivan Svetlik bestowed awards for important works of art, the highest artistic titles of the University of Ljubljana, which are the equivalent of the title of Doctor of Science and whose quality and reverberation are regarded as significantly above average at home and abroad. At the event, which is organized annually by the University of Ljubljana, twenty-two such awards were granted this year.
The University of Ljubljana as a comprehensive university includes three art academies. The basic activities at these academies are artistic creativity and education of students in theory and artistic practices. Artistic activity is implemented in other university members as well, such as the Faculty of Architecture, Biotechnical Faculty and the Faculty of Natural Science and Engineering.
This is what makes the University of Ljubljana richer in comparison to other universities: "It is richer in the sense of programmes offered by the academies, in the sense of graduates who finish these studies and also in the sense of cultural and artistic events intended for the employees, the students and the public", Prof. Dr. Ivan Svetlik, the Chancellor of the University of Ljubljana, explained.
The President of the award committee for important works of art, Prof. Janja Korun emphasized that this award is a kind of stepping stone in the life of an artist, an opportunity for the artist to look back on the road he/she has travelled before heading into the unknown, a road which also included sharing his/her artistic knowledge and experience.
The full speech by Prof. Dr. Janja Korun can be found here.
We asked some of this year's award recipients what art means to them and how they would explain it to the younger generation:
Actress Nataša Barbara Gračner: "Art cannot be explained and is therefore something a person can only feel. I see it as a refuge from rationality. In this life, which we are physically living, beauty can flow through art and it makes us better and it helps us grow. As Homo sapiens I can't imagine how I could live without it. I think it is an essential condition of my existence."
Composer Anže Rozman adds that art is the reflection of the society we live in: "It also represents some kind of national identity. Slovenians can use it to introduce ourselves abroad, who we are, what we do and I find it very important. I am happy that art is lived like this in Slovenia, that it is alive and exceptionally creative."
For Martina Lesar Kikelj, M.A. art is an opportunity to express yourself in a different way: "It is a lot easier if a professional career is enriched with art, especially if you are an artistic type of person. At the same time, it acts as some kind of counter balance for reality and something that helps you express yourself better."
Award recipients for important works of art of the University of Ljubljana for 2016:
- Žiga Brank, Academy of Music
- Simon Klavžar, Academy of Music
- Steve Klink, Academy of Music
- Katja Krajnik Kralj, Academy of Music
- Jani Moder, Academy of Music
- Anže Rozman, Academy of Music
- Petra Vidmar, Academy of Music
- Klemen Dvornik, Academy of Theatre, Film, Radio and Television
- Nataša Barbara Gračner, Academy of Theatre, Film, Radio and Television
- Janez Janša (Emil Hrvatin), Academy of Theatre, Film, Radio and Television
- Alojz Svete, Academy of Theatre, Film, Radio and Television
- Jernej Šugman, Academy of Theatre, Film, Radio and Television
- Jana Zupančič, Academy of Theatre, Film, Radio and Television
- Nika Autor, M.A, Academy of Fine Arts and Design
- Suzana Bricelj, Academy of Fine Arts and Design
- Klementina Golija Tutta, Academy of Fine Arts and Design
- Martina Lesar Kikelj, M.A., Academy of Fine Arts and Design
- Lidija Pritržnik, Academy of Fine Arts and Design
- Ana Sluga, M.A., Academy of Fine Arts and Design
- Aljoša Dekleva, Faculty of Architecture
- Polona Filipič, Faculty of Architecture
- Rok Kuhar, Faculty of Architecture
Photos by Željko Stevanić, IFP, d. o. o.
Award recipients for important works of art with the chancellor of the University of Ljubljana, Prof. Dr. Ivan Svetlik and vice-chancellor for artistic activity of the University of Ljubljana, Prof. Matej Zupan (bottom right)