"ART THAT NOBODY NEEDS" BACK IN FRONT OF BANJA LUKA RESIDENTS

The unique humanitarian auction "Art That Nobody Needs" will be held again on May 8th, at the Banja Luka Youth Center, to raise funds for the operation of the Banja Luka public kitchen. Organizers promise an even more entertaining event and invite all companies to participate by purchasing artworks and items with a unique background story.

The auction of artworks and items that have never been used, have minor defects, or whose purpose has been fulfilled over time was first held last year.

The positive response from artists and visitors surprised the organizers themselves, so the new edition comes as an unplanned but natural step.

"The concept of the event, the atmosphere at the event, and the amount collected received very positive reactions from all sides, so there were already many questions 'When will we repeat this?'" reveals Nenad Bosnić, author of the novel "Trosvijet" and one of the organizers. "As inflation continues to hinder the operation of the public kitchen, in cooperation with the Mozaik prijateljstva Association, we have agreed to hold another 'Art That Nobody Needs' event. Tropic and Moj market are again with us, this time also as sponsors of the event, and we invite all other Banja Luka companies to contact us and purchase some of the items. This would allow us to raise even more funds for the public kitchen, and buyers would get a piece with a unique story to enrich their premises or as an original gift to business partners."

Visual artists such as Nataša Konjević, Tea Jagodić, and Mile Mićić, photographers Aleksandar Čavić, Tomas Damjanović, and Borislav Brezo, collectives like the publishing house Imprimatur and the Jazavac theater, and many others have already confirmed their participation. However, the second "Art That Nobody Needs" will also bring new names, more creative directions, and an even more dynamic content.

Musician Andra Kiddo, a participant and moderator of the first edition, is now part of the organizing team. Music will be more represented this year, as Andra Kiddo will premiere her single "Besmrtan," which is just one of the novelties.

"Musicians are now more present, from bands like Sopot and Revolt to rapper Danza," she announces. "Thanks to the association Deveta dimenzija, we will have many comics, Teodora Radivojević will bring us dance, and the studio Other Side will ensure that someone gets a new tattoo by the end of the evening. Fashion designers Marko Feher and Stankica Stojanović, as well as brands Unikat, Kotka, Puzla Design, Zmijanje Design... have confirmed their participation, and we are also looking for an artist who will draw portraits of visitors on the spot."

The response from creatives is already significant, but the organizers emphasize that there is still room, especially when it comes to less popularized artistic expressions. The addresses for all interested participants, donors, and visitors are the event's Facebook and Instagram pages.

"We hope that our fellow citizens will mark May 8th in their calendars right away, and that domestic companies will contact us. We believe that this is a unique opportunity for social responsibility in which everyone truly benefits," the organizers conclude.

The first "Art That Nobody Needs" was held on July 5th, 2023, with the participation of more than 30 individuals and collectives, and visitors paid exactly 5,002 KM for their works, which were immediately donated to the Banja Luka public kitchen. The event will again take place at the Youth Center, with technical support provided by AAP Electronic.