interdisciplinary research project
In 2018, Ostojić published the Lexicon of Tanjas Ostojić, a book based on transformative encounters derived from a women communal project, from the region of former Yugoslavia. The project included 33 participating women from different backgrounds and generations, all named Tanja Ostojić. It was created through a collective artistic and autobiographical research practice by the 33 name-sisters, including art education, co-creation of collaborative artworks through workshops, an exhibition format, performances and a series of public programs: Lexicon of Tanjas Ostojić
Lexicon of Tanjas Ostojić book in English, 160 pages, edited by Tanja Ostojić, with essays by Adèle Eisenstein, Lois Keidan, Dr Suzana Milevska, and Tanja Ostojić. Copy editing by Dr Harriet Curtis and Adèle Eisenstein
First published in 2018 by Live Art Development Agency, London, UK and Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Rijeka, Croatia
ISBN: 978-0-9935611-3-9
ISBN: 978-953-8107-14-6
Embroidery on cotton, 200 × 160 cm
Coauthors: Tanja Ostojić (Banja Luka), Tanja Ostojić (Berlin), Tanja Ostojić (Trn), Tanja Ostojić (Udine), Tanja Ostojić-Guteša, Tanja Ostojić-Petrović, Tanja Petar Ostojić, Tatjana Ostojić (Belgrade), Tatjana Ostojić Alabama, Jelena Dinić, Sunčica Šido and Vahida Ramujkić. Photo: Nikola Radić-Lucati. Copyright: T. Ostojić
“While Lexicon seems to be a part and parcel of what is termed socially- engaged art practices, its extended chronological commitment, and commitment to actual, as opposed to forced or artificially enacted social relations we often find in socially-engaged artwork, it is very much outside of the popular contemporary artistic forms. Women’s commitments to each other, friendships and support that took place (and are ongoing) in the Lexicon contravene oppressive and exploitative forms of labour encountered on the margins of the Western world”. (Dr Bojana Videkanić, book review in Journal Sociologija )
Was haben Menschen gemeinsam, die denselben Vor- und Nachnamen teilen – und was unterscheidet sie? Mit diesen Ausgangsfragen begab sich Tanja Ostojić zwischen 2011 und 2017 auf eine multidisziplinäre künstlerische Erforschung von Arbeitsbedingungen, Migrationswege, Identitäts- und Geschlechterfragen von mehr als 30 Tanjas Ostojić weltweit. In Einzelgesprächen, Workshops, Gruppenperformances und gemeinsam organisierten Ausstellungen erforscht Ostojić ihre Verbindung und überführt die Spannung von Individualität und Kollektivität in einen solidarischen Akt, der über Ländergrenzen hinweg praktiziert wird.
Installation views, 4. Berliner Herbstsalon DE-HEIMATIZE IT!, Maxim Gorki Theater, Palais am Festungsgraben, Berlin, 2019.
TANJA OSTOJIĆ 