It is early spring and the urge to look outside is back. In this conversation, we meet the founders of the art blog Artrophia.
What motivates us to meet these ‘bloggers’ is their passion, which we share, for the creativity and art that can be seen in FVG, which investigates little-known aspects of the region and yet has a place in the cracks of the cultural mainstream.
What is found in this virtual ‘space’, and what runs through all our conversations, is the desire to connect the dots and discover unknown people and realities.
On this occasion, we will discover Artrophia. We talk about this with Lucija Slavica, founder of Artrophia.
Let’s start with the name, tell us a little about where you started from
Artrophia is more than a name. It is a feeling, a process, an emotion. It was born from the impulse to initiate a project that is not static, but constantly evolving, like art. Per trovarlo, mi sono ispirata a parole del greco antico, come empatia, entropia e filosofia. It was born from the impulse to initiate a project that is not static, but constantly evolving, like art. This is how the concept of ‘artrophia’, a fusion of ‘art’ in English and ‘tropé’, which means ‘transformation’ in Greek, was born.
How the idea to create Artrophia came about
Artrophia started when I was very young. It was founded on the need to increase the value of the power behind every work of art. I wanted the paintings and photographs hanging to release even more energy and to ensure that art was not exclusive, but could be enjoyed by everyone. Basically, the project was born from the idea that every work of art is filtered through an invisible mirror: our experiences, our past. Consciously or unconsciously, everything passes through this filter. My mission has always been to expand it, to make it more resilient. Later, I met Naomi Drušković, who became my ‘partner in crime’ for the events. When we met, it was love at first sight. There is something magical in those who truly love art and it goes beyond everything.
Who is behind the Artrophia blog.
There’s me, Lucija Slavica and Naomi Drušković, who help me and come into play when we go beyond the boundaries of the online world. I always liked the idea of a blog that could also have a contact with reality and play an active role, leaving a tangible footprint. We don’t organise many events, usually one per year, and we often rely on local entities, but they are really significant and unique. It always produces a nice atmosphere where artists and art lovers meet. The artwork and the exhibition become a pretext to discuss the way we perceive the world, life, love.
The Artrophia blog has gone through several thematic steps over the years. Can you tell us what is the most complicated part of your research?
The most complicated part is to stay constantly updated. Understand in which direction art is going, but also the human being, because everything starts from there.
What is the main message you want to communicate to blog viewers?
The content I offer is extensive. There are the exhibitions and events in Trieste (and beyond), the artists and a section I care a lot about: the Quaderni (notebook). Artrophia is a platform with which I try to bring out the true essence of art, so that, even in the digital age, it always remains a tool for the exploration and expression of complex issues that are deeply rooted in the human condition. With this in mind, I have created a section called Notebooks, thanks to which I can address different topics starting from a work of art. And I would say that this is the aspect that also emerges in our events.
How does Artrophia differ from other blogs or platforms dedicated to art?
First of all, Trieste lacks a platform dedicated exclusively to art, which could be a reference point for art lover. Moreover, Artrophia is special because it is a mix of online and offline.
The last question is actually a request. In our opinion, there is a trigger point, an image, a scene from a film,a graphic, a work of art, which then inspired us to do some inspiring thinking for us and our personal journey. What was yours and if you can describe it.
Absolutely all Federico Fellini’s films. I have always imagined art events as a scene from his films. I am fascinated by every detail, from the costumes to the laughing to the fact that everyone speaks their own language. There is something magical about his films. I think there is also in Artrophia.
In the photos: Don’t say Dido show, say bomba!, 2018 (courtesy Artrophia) and Lucija Slavica at the Biennale Arte 2022 – Il latte dei sogni (courtesy Artrophia)