Kristian Kožul's work at the 60th Zagreb Salon

Kristian Kožul is presenting his work EMPIRE at the 60th Zagreb Salon: Choreography for the Finish Line, on view from 7 to 31 October 2025 at the Oktogon, National Museum of Modern Art (Ilica 5, Zagreb).

The work draws on Croatian heritage, using motifs from traditional house decorations in Zagorje and Međugorje. EMPIRE stems from artistic research into the Peasants’ Revolt of 1573, a key socio-political event that began at the Susedgrad-Stubica estate and sought to establish an independent peasant state with Zagreb as its centre. The revolt was crushed, and leader Matija Gubec was executed on St. Mark’s Square, becoming a symbol of resistance. The legacy of rebellion endures amid today’s neoliberal capitalism, where risk and competition define everyday life, and the potential for revolt is constantly subdued. EMPIRE stands as a reminder of collective identity and heritage – appearing like a home, its ornaments evoking tradition yet carrying something ominous and unsettling.