Avanti popolo is a sound installation which resonates patriotic songs from all over the world, as well as the anthems of various political regimes – including the famous Italian revolutionary song after which this installation acquires its title. Patriotic songs – which promote national identity, a spirit of collectivism, unity and sense of belonging – are at the same time a very convenient tool in the service of ideology; whether they are considered ‘positive’ or negative’ is always dependant on the historical context. In order to preserve their power, all ideologies manipulate the values, beliefs and the behavioural patterns of social groups, particularly so when an enemy or threat appears on the horizon. At any such juncture all such mechanisms are activated, and become increasingly aggressive, while the results are all too often tragic as well as absurd. Nationalism and false patriotism have given rise to – and continue to give rise to – much bloodshed, as has been repeatedly well documented by history. Maja Bajević refers to her installation as a sort of a ‘minefield of songs’, a global city whose infrastructure is constructed of various types of HI-FI – as diverse as the songs themselves. When visitors walk through the gallery, the songs turn on, one after another, until there is a cacophonic resonation of discordant music and incomprehensible words. The result is an absurd scenario that is a singular commentary on the concept of nationalism.
Double – Bubble is a video in which the artist questions the duality of religious ethics and morals. Religion is yet another element which plays an extremely significant social and political role in the construction of the world’s power hierarchies. The Church as an institution co-generates the values, rules and modes of behaviour in every-day life. Although every world religion proclaims peace, love and benevolence, the reality is often diametrically opposite. The most terrifying crimes, including genocide, have happened – and continue to happen – ‘in the name of God’. Indeed, God is used as an excuse for repression, abuse, violence, discrimination and social marginalisation of every imaginable type, while actions that are supposedly for a ‘higher purpose’ are merely aimed at strengthening the political as well as economic power of the established Church. ‘’I free people from sins. They give me money. Everything has its price,’’ is one of the statements recorded on the video. ‘’Whoever doesn’t think the same, has to die. It is God’s will. I am just the messenger,’’ the last sentence on the video says it all.
