O2OOP / A RETROSPECTIVE EXHIBITION CELEBRATING THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY
O2OOP / A RETROSPECTIVE EXHIBITION CELEBRATING THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY

The artists and designers Tjaša Bavcon, Katja Burger Kovič and Jasmina Ferček celebrated the 20th anniversary of their collaboration with the retrospective exhibition O2OOP and a series of accompanying events. The exhibition explored the power and importance of textiles and textile communities, as well as the role of women as inventors and creators of textiles. With this retrospective, the artists honoured their long creative journey.

 

The exhibition drew attention to themes that the collective had explored in the past and that are still relevant today: the value of craftsmanship, collaboration and co-creation, unifying communication, community building and the empowerment of women. These themes or values were explored both theoretically and practically in a series of side events. They were explored in collaboration with other artists, professionals and colleagues, as well as through public engagement and educational initiatives for younger generations.

 

The projects and the rich accompanying programme were divided into thematic segments reflecting the most important topics that the Oloop collective has been dealing with in the last two decades in the Slovenian and European socio-cultural space with textile materials:

 

Oloop Experience

In this segment, past projects, collaborations with artists and the design and artworks created in this context were taken up and revitalised. A new perspective was opened up through performances and public events with guest artists Ajda Tomazin and Jana Jevtović as well as with non-governmental organisations such as Breja Preja and the Carnica Institute.

 

Oloop Knowledge transfer

This segment was about reaching out to younger generations, promoting intergenerational dialogue and questioning the value of tactile experiences in the digital age. New approaches to design processes, contemporary education methods and knowledge transfer were explored. Activities included the Colours of Rog workshops and a collaboration with Icelandic textile designer Halla Ármanns and the Icelandic Textile Centre, both of which were presented to the Slovenian public for the first time.

 

Oloop Well-being

This segment encouraged individual visitor experiences, created a space for reflection and invited active participation in the “Embodied Emotions” project. It explored the potential of textiles as a medium for self-expression (expressive power), self-discovery (cognitive power), well-being (feelings, emotions, needs), care practises (the ability to care for oneself and others) and the creation of healthy social environments — textile communities (the power of community).

 

Oloop In theory

In this segment, a conversation with Zala Orel centred on the importance of textile communities. As part of the event, a temporary textile community was set up where participants could experience the benefits first-hand.

 

A space for exchange, reflection and learning

The Oloop collective’s exhibition was more than just a presentation of textile works, photos and short films from the last two decades. It also served as a space for encounters, exchange, joint creation, reflection and learning. The exhibition was on display at the Centre Rog from 20 June to 17 August 2024.

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