The journey of the artwork “Moving Monument” continues

During the 10th anniversary of the Autostrada Biennale, we organized a workshop with artist Alban Muja, the Autostrada Production team, and Recyclart to explore the connection between justice and the aesthetics of public monuments. In 2021, Muja’s work for the 3rd Autostrada Biennale focused on a lost monument from his hometown of Mitrovica. Built in the 1970s and removed in 2010, the monument symbolises equality, work, and education. Although it disappeared, it remained alive in the memory of the locals.

During the third edition in 2021, curated by Övül Ö. Durmuşoğlu and Joanna Warsza, a smaller version of the monument appeared in Prizren with the title “Moving Monument”, and now, during the workshop, this version is taking on new forms. Muja encouraged the participants to see these monuments as conversations between history and meaning.

In 2023, during the fourth edition, the monument was produced in the original version and size in the Autostrada Hangar and was titled “Moving Monument. Moving Back.”. The monument was placed in the centre of Mitrovica where it now stands permanently.

“The transformation of the monument into several smaller pieces, inviting new ways of engaging with space and meaning. Each part becomes an individual artwork, changing how viewers interact with it. Exhibiting the pieces separately allows for fresh interpretations in different contexts, reflecting not only their original creation but also their relevance in today’s world. This approach emphasises how time shapes our understanding of art, with each display offering a new perspective on its meaning in the present moment.” adds Alban Muja.

Leutrim Fishekqiu - Co-founding Director of Autostrada Biennale states “Having this artwork as part of the Autostrada Biennale collection is a great step, especially now that we have a professional storage space for contemporary art in Hangar II. The journey of this artwork has been deeply meaningful, and we look forward to its continued story and future journeys”.

Photo by: Tughan Anit