Šejla Kamerić

‘Cease’, a public art project by Šejla Kamerić, curated by Giulia Foscari, is installed at the center of Campo Santo Stefano in Venice, during the 60th International Art Exhibition La Biennale di Venezia.

Having received widespread acclaim for the poignant intimacy and social commentary in her artistic practice, with ‘Cease’ Kamerić declares a political message of peace. Conceived as a tattered white flag at half-mast, ‘Cease’ is a gesture of reprimand beyond truce, parley, or surrender. The striking, distinctly still, monumental sculpture abruptly appearing in the Venetian sky requests an unequivocal commitment to vigorous life, a prevalent thematic expression within the artist’s legacy as a survivor of the Siege of Sarajevo.

Commissioned autonomously from deeply divisive structures within the artist’s home country, the artwork will be on public display during the inaugural month of the Biennale.

‘Cease’ is commissioned by Ars Aevi Museum of Contemporary Art – Sarajevo and its director Senka Ibrišimbegović, as well as the Ministry for Culture and Sports Canton Sarajevo; produced by the artist and Jan Eugster, supported by UNESCO, City of Sarajevo, UNA / UNLESS, Eugster || Belgrade, Galerie Tanja Wagner – Berlin, NOMAD – Croatian Office for Contemporary Art.The UNA / UNLESS exhibition production team includes: curator Giulia Foscari with Federica Zambeletti, Francesca Benetti Genolini.

On view from April 18 through April 24.

Photo: Aleksandra Saša Vajd