Collective Zero

This months cover,
original photo by Matej Bogdanovski.
Digital augmentation & layout by K.K.W 

A look back: Collective Zero ("Paperworks"). Article & photos by K.K.W

From the mid 1980's to the early 1990's Collective Zero were, and still is to a large degree, an important representative of the Macedonian visual art scene.

Arm-band logo for the group.

They came together during the last years of Yugoslavia and ended their collective sometime before or after the break-up of the nation and Macedonia declared independence (CEHT 8th 1991). The group did have an eventual reunion in 2009 for a retrospective exhibition at the national gallery of Macedonia, and at the 54th international biennale in Venice ("The Trailer Files").

One of the pieces from their exhibition
@ Gallery MC - Sept 2011

The last time they were together was for their exhibition "Paperwork" at Gallery MC in New YorK, Sept 2011. Its strikingly curious how the group disbanded and yet came together on 3 other occasions almost as if they were not meant to dissolve as a group. "Paperworks" was a project based on numerous photographic material constituted during the preparations for "The Trailer Files".  

"Zero 3D" - Gorancho Gjorgjievski, 2011.

Surrealism, pop art, and aspects of the psychedelic which takes the viewer into a world of beautiful oddities, and strange Balkan characters. In many ways "Paperworks" is the culmination of their time spent together as a collective, filtered through each ones social/political outlook and creativity. Their art stands on its own, separate from their cultural identity and yet imbued with so much that is Macedonia and the Balkans.

Igor Toshevski, "Birds of prey" 2011

Igor Toshevski

Zlatko Trajikovski, "0 Export import Sessions", 2011

Gorancho Gjorgjievski (stripped dress shirt)

Gorazd Popovski (operator of Gallery MC), speaking with
Filip Blasezki 

Conslute General of Macedonia (left) Zvonko Musinski

Conslute General Zvonko Musinski , his wife Mrs Musinski
speaking with  Gorancho Gjorgjievski

Maria Pavlovska (left), Natasa Poposka

Collective Zero is, Miodrag Desovski, Aco Stankoski, Bedi Ibrahim, Zlaltko Trajkovski, Igor Toshevski, Sinisha Cvetkovski, and Gorancho Gjorgjievski. Video support for the group: Steven Shashkov. If you would like to know more, go to:www.gallerymc.org. Samsung 8GB Galaxy Tab 2 Wi-Fi Tablet - GT-P3113TSYXAR (Google Affiliate Ad)Canon EOS Rebel T3 Digital SLR Camera With 18-55mm IS II Lens - REBEL T3 (Google Affiliate Ad)