MGLC

Mladen Stropnik: GOODMORNING

2021
mladen stropnik_urska boljkovac (13)

The special feature of the print portfolio entitled GOODMORNING is already the portfolio itself because viewing its cover page through an application on a smartphone offers us an enhanced reality of the visual image in the form of a graphic and acoustic intervention. This concept suggests that the viewer must become active in order to read, view and experience the works stored in the portfolio.

mladen stropnik_urska boljkovac (21)
Photo: Urška Boljkovac. MGLC Archive.
mladen stropnik_urska boljkovac (1)
Photo: Urška Boljkovac. MGLC Archive.
mladen stropnik_urska boljkovac (24)
Photo: Urška Boljkovac. MGLC Archive.

The experience begins with reading the instructions, which explain how we are to interact with and view each print as Stropnik had in mind, leading us to the feelings and thoughts that guided him in conceiving its content. When we hold a single print in our hands and handle it according to the instructions, we find that reading the instructions has metaphorically transformed into an active search for meaning.

mladen stropnik atelje_urska boljkovac (11)
Photo: Urška Boljkovac. MGLC Archive.

Each of the prints can be a visual metaphor that subtly grows out of Stropnik's personal experience into learning about common reality or our intimate memory. Such a metaphor is supported by the titles of each print, with which he thoughtfully builds up a poetic visual formation, concluding it with a poem printed on the back of the portfolio. The graphic portfolio GOODMORNING is a collection of visual reflections that must be physically touched to be understood, which contradicts the established practice of such works on paper.

MGLC_Mladen Stropnik_HAHAHAAAA_DOBRO JUTRO5303WEBkopija
Mladen Stropnik, "tent". Hold the print in your hands and fold the scored strips to the point of contact. Silkscreen on paper, cutting by folding, 44 x 34 cm. Photo: Jaka Babnik. MGLC Archive.
MGLC_Mladen Stropnik_HAHAHAAAA_DOBRO JUTRO5323WEB
Mladen Stropnik, "I can't see the handle, go around". Use the print as a mat. Silkscreen on paper, cutting by folding, 44 x 34 cm + approx. 17 x 32 cm. Photo: Jaka Babnik. MGLC Archive.
MGLC_Mladen Stropnik_HAHAHAAAA_DOBRO JUTRO5325WEB
Mladen Stropnik, "pinch of salt". Lay the print on the table. Silkscreen on paper, perforation/fi 1 cm, 44 x 34 cm. Photo: Jaka Babnik. MGLC Archive.
MGLC_Mladen Stropnik_HAHAHAAAA_DOBRO JUTRO5333WEB
Mladen Stropnik, "pear". Place the print on its side and fold. Silkscreen on paper, cutting by folding, collaging, gluing, approx. 37 x 2 cm, 44 x 34 cm. Photo: Jaka Babnik. MGLC Archive.
When we hold a single print in our hands and handle it according to the instructions, we find that reading the instructions has metaphorically transformed into an active search for meaning.
MGLC_Mladen Stropnik_HAHAHAAAA_DOBRO JUTRO5354WEB
Mladen Stropnik, "I'm going". Fold the print so that it stands upright. Silkscreen on paper, cutting by folding, 2 pieces, 44 x 34 cm. Photo: Jaka Babnik. MGLC Archive.

The prints of Mladen Stropnik offer us a kind of paradox in the form of mental snippets that we can only see when we actually hold them in our hands and intentionally or unintentionally leave a trace of ourselves on the print.

MGLC_Mladen Stropnik_HAHAHAAAA_Dobro jutro5216WEBkopija
Mladen Stropnik, "moonmouth". Hold the print in your hands so that air passes through the hole. Silkscreen on paper, perforation/fi 4 cm, 44 x 34 cm. Photo: Jaka Babnik. MGLC Archive.
MGLC_Mladen Stropnik_HAHAHAAAA_Dobro jutro5298WEBkopija
Mladen Stropnik, "APPLES". View the cover of the print portfolio with a smartphone via the application aritivive.com. Silkscreen on card, 45 x 35 cm. Photo: Jaka Babnik. MGLC Archive.
MGLC_Mladen Stropnik_HAHAHAAAA_Dobro jutro5248WEBkopija
Mladen Stropnik, "plum" Press the print along the edges to open and close. Silkscreen on paper, gluing prints, 2 pieces, 44 x 34 cm. Photo: Jaka Babnik. MGLC Archive.

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