Events
Oliver Musovic: HERBAL ADJUSTMENTS
24/10/2025 – 19/11/2025
Within the broader framework of the ubiquitous and important philosophy of the already urgent need for symbiosis of nature and man, interdependence, complementarity, cooperation and participation of the multitude of species in a society on the verge of extinction (Anna Tsing, Donna Haraway, Murray Bookchin), the idea of the importance of abandoned spaces as opposed to cultivated spaces, as spaces of regeneration that in some way exemplify the indestructible rebellious energy of nature, has been discovered. According to the theories of the third landscape or fourth nature, it is precisely these disturbed lands that, if not neglected as remnants or weeds, are new ecosystems that open up space to reconsider the preservation of nature and natural diversity, but also offer examples of different principles of organization based on principles of mutual aid, solidarity and cooperation, as drivers of evolution. The third landscape, according to the concept of the famous landscape architect and gardener Jules Clément, are the spaces that are usually treated as neglected – undecided spaces, devoid of function, difficult to name.
This is precisely the focus of the latest phase of the developing artistic line of Oliver Musović (1971), one of the most active artists from the country, who has been present on the scene since the late nineties, and has been actively presenting himself on the world's art scenes ever since. In the last two years, he has been developing photographic series that process the spaces of the "third landscape" inhabited by ruderal ecologies, that is, plants that grow on ruins (the etymology is from the Latin word rudus, ruins), which challenge conventional notions of botanical beauty and dignity, and according to the artist are unsung heroes of survival and inspire respect with their adaptability, and which are often dismissed as "weeds".
Musovic finds his passion for research in these plants, and through his artistic engagement he gives them the opportunity to shine, to receive credit for their work, as a kind of celebration of the resilience of life on the margins and the intriguing appeal of the “third landscape.” That is, these self-organized communities without human interference not only speak of the power of nature but also of the unexpected moments of chance for different communities to form. But Musovic also notes encouragement from the philosophies of social ecology of the American social theorist and political philosopher Murray Bookchin, which is, in effect, a call for social reconstruction along ecological lines, which in broad terms means that environmental problems arise from deep problems in society or dominance over the natural world.
In this direction, the exhibition "Herbal Adaptations" is being formed, which includes the series "Overgrown" from 2023, "Ruderal Herbarium" from 2023-2025, "Ruderal Herbarium of Singapore" from 2024, "Microclimates" from 2024 and "Atlas of Singapore FernsVI" from 2025, as well as a series of two photographs, and a single photograph. It is a research endeavor manifested in several groups of photographs, some of them accompanied by text, in which the artist records natural phenomena, most often in the form of modern botanical catalogs, as well as a digital publication, fully illustrated and co-authored with advanced AI language models, which is placed on a computer for free viewing. These are works that were created when the artist was in artist residencies in Austria, Singapore, Germany, and France and that have already been presented to the public there (at the Kunstraumkrade in Mödling, Austria, and at the Singapore Art Museum), and which are being presented in this country for the first time.
These series presented within the exhibition "Plant Adaptations" complete a research project by the author that has observed different plant species and adaptations in different climates around the world.
With "Herbal Adjustments", artist Oliver Musovic also marks 30 years of active creativity, i.e. 30 years since his first solo exhibition at the Art Gallery, Bitola, in 1995. This exhibition takes place 18 years since his previous solo exhibition "The Artist" at the Museum of Contemporary Art - Skopje in 2007.
Excerpt from the text about the exhibition by curator Ivana Vaseva
Oliver Musovic (1971, Skopje) is a visual artist who works in multiple media, but most often photography and visual storytelling.
His practice explores the intersection of nature, urban space, and social dynamics, with a particular focus on adaptation and resilience in transitional environments. His work positions landscape as a socio-ecological construct shaped by humans and other (non-human) life, contributing to dialogues about ecological resilience, sustainability, and the role of art in fostering critical awareness.
His works have been presented internationally, among others at SAM – Singapore Art Museum (2025), Museum of Contemporary Art, Zagreb (2023), Museum of Contemporary Art – Skopje, +MSUM Metelkova, Ljubljana (2021, 2018), MACRO – Museum of Contemporary Art, Rome (2004), Camera Austria, Kunsthaus Graz (20024), Friedericinum – Kassel (2003), Manifesta 4 (Frankfurt, 2002) and the Istanbul Biennale (1999).
Musovic's works are part of public collections such as n.b.k. Berlin, MSU Skopje, Fondazione Fotografia Modena and +MSUM Ljubljana.
His works have been published in several publications – reviews of contemporary art from the most important world publishers of art literature, such as “Autobiography” (Thames and Hudson, 2004), “Vitamin Ph – New Perspectives in Photography”, (Phaidon, 2006), “Photo Art, Photography in the 21st. Century”, (Aperture, 2008). Musovic is an active participant in several residency programs throughout Europe, Asia and the USA.
The exhibition is financially supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Macedonia.
Friend of MCA - Skopje, Tikves
