Resort Bez Signala

The exhibition, titled 'Resort Bez Signala' (Croatian for 'Resort Without Signal'), is currently taking place at the Museum of Modern Art in Dubrovnik, Croatia. It features the work of Matko Vekić, a contemporary Croatian painter who is recognised as one of the leading artists of his generation. Vekić employs a diverse array of everyday motifs, including cars, insects, traffic interchanges, bridges, relays, and transmission lines. Through his captivating art, Vekić examines and comments on the irony of contemporary society, inviting viewers to reflect on the complexities of modern life. This exhibition serves as an innovative platform that deeply investigates our intricate relationship with nature and our environment. By providing a visual experience through the stunning vivid paintings, it enables visitors to engage profoundly with the art while contemplating the various effects of connectivity in their everyday lives. Moreover, it encourages audiences to disconnect momentarily from their digital devices and to reconnect to their surroundings through thought-provoking installations and curated works that resonate deeply with the essence of Croatian culture and its unique perspective on the world around us. This multifaceted approach not only highlights Vekić's artistic vision but also fosters a meaningful dialogue about the importance of being present in our lives and appreciating the natural beauty that surrounds us.

Vekić's new series, 'Resort Without a Signal', consists a collection of works created in 2025 and 2026. It explores in depth Mediterranean areas that beyond the reach of the network signals. However, to fully understand this series, it is important to consider the other works, which is also display at the exhibition. Created between 2020 and 2025, 'Archipelago', 'Tree on the Island', 'Serenity', and 'Existence on the Island' are a unique tribute to the power and beauty of nature and the environment. Through these works, Vekić meticulously examines and observes the intricate details of the natural world, exploring the full potential of painting as a medium in a way that resonates with viewers on a profound level. In his captivating new series, Vekić presents a compelling narrative of transition. He showcases unfinished, artificial, plastic structures that remain suspended in a haunting in-between space and time. These structures provide no indication of connection to the outside world. The presence of abandoned fences, unfinished walls, empty swimming pools and waste accumulation starkly illustrates the devastation of an entire ecosystem, creating a contemporary patina of time that speaks volumes. These sites are completely detached from the natural environment in which they were originally conceived.

This situation stirs a deep sense of human distress and disconnection within the artist, in light of the overwhelming absence of awareness and sensitivity towards the distinctive essence and intrinsic value of the spaces we occupy and our interactions with them.

In his captivating new series, Vekić tells a powerful story of transition. He presents incomplete, artificial constructions that linger in a haunting, timeless space. These constructions offer no signs of connection to the outside environment. The presence of deserted fences, unfinished walls, empty swimming pools and accumulated waste starkly highlights the ruin of an entire ecosystem, creating a contemporary layer of time that conveys significant messages. These locations are entirely removed from their initial natural surroundings. This scenario evokes a profound sense of human anguish and alienation in the artist, given the overwhelming lack of awareness and sensitivity towards the unique character and intrinsic value of the spaces we inhabit, and towards how we engage with them.

Human nature seeks to establish control and order. However, there is also a strong tendency towards chaos and freedom, which embodies our dual nature. As we wander along the waterfront, we come across unfinished constructions and buildings that disregard local traditions. These structures entice us to perceive them as emblems of savagery. Holiday homes often present themselves as 'modern', in both appearance and materials, but are awkwardly situated within their environments. While they may seem like refuges from daily disorder, they also separate us from nature. These homes, with their sleek designs and modern materials, also create incongruity, challenging our sense of space and belonging. They act as retreats from frenetic lifestyles, highlighting our disconnection from cherished environments. These resorts, emerging spontaneously without harmony with nature, raise questions about human habitation's relationship with the natural world. Is there beauty in such places, or discomfort in examining our choices?

Why am I drawn to these scenes? Vekić asked. Perhaps it’s the tension between attraction and repulsion, feeling drawn to what these landscapes represent while recognising their dissonance. A Croatian poet (Tin Ujević in his travel writings) once contemplated: "Nothing is true, not above us, there is only the backdrop of reality, beautiful in its emptiness..."

Why do these modern resorts evoke nostalgia and dread as we navigate eerie reflections of progress? Can a chosen scene reflect inner processes and collective trauma? These settings can become symbols of a complex condition, revealing meanings that touch on personal histories. Do these scenes represent a yearning for freedom or an impulse to impose order and control, creating safe havens that disconnect us from the land? Such questions are complex and require contemplation. Perhaps an initial answer is that they mirror future events, an unyielding reality shaping our surroundings as we ponder our path forward.