Ivan Durgutovski: Reinvention & Satire

This months cover by K.K.W,
with layout by Aleksandar Ares.
Original photo by Ivan Durgutovski. 

Digital vandalism, or social critique? I, Durgutovski. By K.K.W

Ivan Durgutovski, photo courtesy of the artist. 

On average, there are usually many creative individuals who are gifted; though few who have wit to match, and the ability to point a subtle critical finger at society with style. Born under the sign of Virgo, his planet being Mercury and his element being earth, explains a great deal about his creativity. A heightened sense for the intangible, swift in his ability to communicate it, and yet very much grounded in matters of the here and now.

From the project - Metaphysics:
A typographic diary on Beehance.
by Ivan Durgutovski. 

One of his most striking body of work [William-Adolphe Bouguereau: Reinvented], perhaps meant only for Facebook is probably his most controversial. At a first look, even with a translation, it seems extremely simple, and without much creativity on his part.

"What about a fuck". From the album
William-Adolphe Bouguereau: Reinvented.
Image courtesy of the artist. 

Although thats why it resonates as an interesting example of contemporary - Macedonian Pop-art. In todays world, traditional forms of creativity often take a back-seat [are less important] to cleverness through an idea and simplicity. Just look at "Split Rocker" by Jeff Koons.

"Its Branko's fault".  From the album
William-Adolphe Bouguereau: Reinvented.
Image courtesy of the artist.

Extracted from the society he lives in, the words are those in vogue; things overheard and lamented, along with matters of politics having to do with his country's position. 

"Rednecks man". From the album 
William-Adolphe Bouguereau: Reinvented. 
Image courtesy of the artist.

While Bouguereau's work is stunning in its realism, its reinvention's of classical themes, touched by an obsessive bourgeois need for greatness & grandeur. This is an aspect of almost every society that belies the full reality. 

"C'mon". "Wait, I'm acting crazy [like a fool]"
From the album 
William-Adolphe Bouguereau: Reinvented. 
Image courtesy of the artist.

Durgutovski brings these two elements together, creating an elegant mockery of the establishment and the less-then cultured aspects of his society [& most others] . In a way he has also tapped into the contempt and ridicule that was directed at Bouguereau's work, even in his own time by the impressionists & the avant garde. 

"Very good, indeed". From the album 
William-Adolphe Bouguereau: Reinvented. Image courtesy of the artist.

"Reproductions of a pastoral myth"
By Patrice Renne Washington.
Image courtesy of the artist.

His work is very similar to Patrice Renee Washington's work [Reproductions of a Pastoral Myth] for the exhibition "Re: Purposed".  And while their approach and the end result is different, the idea is much the same. 

Aside from social commentary, Durgutovski is an award-winning graphic artist, and a photographer. His creativity runs the gamut from abstract to realism, and minimalism. He's certainly one of the great examples of visual artists in The Republic Of Macedonia; fully intent on self-expression, visual experimentation and social criticism.  

"Look at her", "She is wearing high-heels on the beach again"
From the album William-Adolphe Bouguereau: Reinvented. 
Image courtesy of the artist.

From the project - "The day I stopped time"
by Ivan Durgutovski. Image courtesy of the artist. 

If you would like to know more, go to:www.behance.net/durgutovski. 'Art is the reason, art is the way'