Cvijeta Zuzorić Art Pavilion

The History

Association of Friends of Art “Cvijeta Zuzorić”, whose name preserved the memory of Dubrovnik female poet and art admirer from 16th century, in 1923 came up with an idea to erect a pavilion in Belgrade, exclusively for the exhibition of works of art. Till that time, these were exhibited in Gymnasium halls and gala hall of Captain Miša`s Edifice, since the space specially intended for this kind of concept and content did not exist. With the aim of collecting donations for the construction of the art pavilion, in February 1923, the ball called “Thousand and Second Night” was organized in the Hotel “Kasina” by Branislav Nušić, at that time the head of Art Division of the Ministry of Education.

The rich individuals, such as Đorđe Vajfert, Luka Ćelović, Мihailo Pupin and King Аleksandar Karađorđević, gave their donation, as well as the National Bank, Јаdransko-Podunavska Bank, and Wiener Bankferain.

Two years later, at the end of 1925, the Art Division of the Ministry of Education announced the competition for the construction of the new exhibition space. The pavilion should have been erected the immediate vicinity of Konak Knjeginje Ljubice. The architect Branislav Kojić won the first prize at the competition, the second one won the architect Milan Zloković and the third won the architect Мihailo Radovanović. After the competition, the Belgrade Municipality decides to concede the building plot to the association, yet not in the site next to the Konak, but in Мali Kalemegdan. Due to this change, Branislav Kojić had to change the awarded design in order to harmonize it with the new circumstances, since his design was related to the Konak. Something completely different, contemporary and modern, was expected from Kojić.

The pavilion was opened on 23 December 1928 in the presence of Prince Pavle and his wife Olga, Patriarch Dimitrije and the representatives of the Academy, government, Belgrade Municipality, University etc. The first autumn exhibition of Belgrade painters and sculptors was opened on 30 December 1928 in the newly completed pavilion “Cvijeta Zuzorić“. Some of the most important names of Belgrade artistic scene appeared at the exhibition, such as Beta Vukanović, Мilena Pavlović Barili, Vasa Pomorišac, Uroš Predić, Petar Palavičini, Тоma Rosandić and others. Among the first manifestations held in the Pavilion „Cvijeta Zuzorić“was the Salon of Architecture, the exhibition prepared by newly founded Group of Architect of Modern Movement. At the time of erection, the artistic pavilion had such a huge impact on the cultural life of Belgrade, that it was identified with the artistic life and artistic events of that time. It also played an important role on spreading the artistic culture and maintaining the artistic life in Serbia between two wars. Nowadays, the building is the site of the Association of the Fine artists of Serbia.

The Architecture of the Pavilion

At the time of the construction of the object, art deco style was very topical in the European architecture, as an echo of the Paris exhibition held in 1925, called Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes. Branislav Kojić visited the exhibition, along with the other members of the Architects Club. The great impression that the exhibition had on him, can easily be noticed in the architecture of the pavilion. The building is indented in volume, with flat surfaces on the facades, without rich ornamentation. The cornices were emphasized, but the windows are not accentuated. Ionian columns at the expected place at the entrance are kind of unusual. The elements of the classic architecture were incorporated in a completely new architectural concept. All of that indicates that the author found inspiration in popular art deco architecture. In front of the pavilion in 1963 was placed the fountain called ’’Awakening’’ the work of sculptor Dragomir Arambašić. The naked female figure stands on the pedestal between the pigeons from whose beaks emerge streams of water. Until the big reconstruction of the Pavilion in 1930s, above the main door there was the allegoric representation of the art, done in the stained glass technique, the work of the painter Vasa Pomorišac.

The reconstruction

After the design of the architect Gradimir Medaković, in 1975 a major reconstruction of the interior was undertaken, a new gallery was built, and the old glass roof was removed.

The cultural monument

The building was proclaimed as the cultural monument (The Decision of the Cultural Heritage Protection Institute of the City of Belgrade no. 68/3, from 22 February 1973.)