1.) Locations I’m actively searching for and documenting interesting vacant commercial spaces in Sarajevo. This undertaking has a dual objective. On one hand, it presents exciting opportunities for setting up my pop-up shop. On the other hand, it provides valuable insights into the current availability of retail properties. This process involves extensive research and a detailed analysis of the current conditions for small, independent retailers in Sarajevo.
3.) Interaction In the third part, I primarily take a practical approach. My goal is to transform what I analyze, observe, and research into concrete projects. I use fonts, logos, or specific visual elements that I notice during my research, extract them, and transform them into something new.
During this process, various interventions and actions are carried out, such as pasting posters, typography shaping, screen printing, or other forms of street art. These actions contribute to a rich spectrum of creative expressions that encompass a variety of artistic techniques. Additionally, the results can ultimately serve as potential products for the future pop-up store.
5.) Čaršija and Skenderija As part of my research, I am analyzing the retail sector using two significant historical examples in Sarajevo. First, I am exploring the centuries-old Čaršija (Bazaar) with all its small shops, as well as the so-called Privredni grad (Commercial city) in the underground of Skenderija, a new form of retail that was conceptualized during the 1970s.
7.) Interior The concept of the interior for the pop-up store is currently the least developed, as it largely depends on the final choice of space. However, there are already initial approaches and ideas on how the interior could be designed. A crucial role could be played by the collection of fabrics that I was able to acquire during the renovation of the student dormitory in Bjelave.
2.) Visual communication In the second phase of my research, I'm delving into advertising spaces and graphic designs that catch my eye in various parts of the city. I select those I personally find interesting or pertinent to my master project. This process culminates in a collection of graphic elements, logos, and fonts, which not only give me insights into advertising surfaces in Sarajevo but also serve as an overview. My primary focus is on the visual communication of small retailers, especially in the outlying areas of the city referred to as Mahalas.
1984 - 2024: The Olympic Games in sarajaveo
4.) WOG’84 According to the current state, the Sarajevo Winter Olympics will play a significant role in the development of my master project. Right from the beginning of my studies, some aspects were focused on the Winter Olympics. This sporting event, which may be considered one of the last glorious moments representing the golden era for Sarajevo, has piqued my special interest. In this context, I find it extremely intriguing to incorporate this theme into my work.
6.) Costumes/fashion I have always held a deep fascination for materials and textiles. My interest lies not only in fashion design but, more so, in the versatile applications and adaptability of materials within the realm of creativity and design in general. I’m particularly intrigued by how clothing can exert a profound influence on individuals and their societal roles, ranging from traditional ornate costumes to contemporary minimalism. Everything is susceptible to the compelling force of interpretation. This is why I consider it crucial to integrate this exploration of fabrics and costumes into my master’s work.
In this case, the starting point are the costumes created by costume designer Vanja Popović for the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Sarajevo.
Arab calligraphy For quite some time, I have held a profound fascination with the art of calligraphy and the aesthetic transformation of letters. When I received confirmation that I could enroll in master’s studies in Sarajevo, it became clear to me that I wanted to find an institution that would allow me to deepen my understanding of Arabic calligraphy. It’s a written form that I was not familiar with at the time, and it had no cultural or historical connection to me. And if there's a place in Bosnia where one can learn such a skill, then it is undoubtedly Sarajevo.
Type collection During my research work, I come across interesting fonts from the past. Often, these are just a few letters, but I decide to create an entire alphabet, from A to Ž, or Cyrillic alphabet from A to Š. The result of this process is a collection of fonts that did not exist in digital form before and will undoubtedly be part of the products in the future pop-up store.
BečBijeljina (Bijeljinale) The international exhibition project BečBijeljina originated from the desire to connect Vienna, one of the most opulent European centers, with Bijeljina, a small local scene in Bosnia and Herzegovina that had not yet been fully defined. The goal of the exhibition was to foster dialogue, interaction between foreign authors and local artists, collaboration between authors and local craftsmen, and a residency that contributed to the creation of a number of works.
Blacksmithing craft Sarajevo, a city with a rich tradition of craftsmanship, is home to several schools that teach various trades. Although these aspects are not directly related to my master's thesis, I deemed it important to enroll in a blacksmithing course. This course allowed me to delve deeper into the world of craftsmanship and to meet people who have been practicing this trade for years, if not decades. During this process, simple, traditional motifs emerged, which can certainly be transformed into something more contemporary.
