Tomislav Gotovac

Tomislav Gotovac, born in 1937 and passing away in 2010, was a renowned Croatian artist, primarily known under his pseudonym Antonio Lauer. He lived and worked mainly in Zagreb. Gotovac was a versatile artist, working as a film director, conceptual and performance artist, as well as the creator of numerous photo series and collages.

Since the early 1960s, Gotovac engaged critically with societal issues in his work, developing new, formally radical, emancipatory, and anarchic approaches. In 1967, he realized the first happening in Zagreb, establishing himself as a pioneer of this art form in Croatia.

Gotovac’s works were exhibited worldwide in prestigious institutions and venues, including documenta 14, the 53rd Venice Biennale, De Appel in Amsterdam, the Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Zagreb, the Moderna Galerija in Ljubljana, the ZKM in Karlsruhe, the Secession in Vienna, the Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris, the Van Abbemuseum in Eindhoven, and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Through his diverse body of work, Gotovac left an indelible mark on the international art scene, challenging conventions and inspiring generations of artists to come.

Tomislav Gotovac was more than just a visual artist; Throughout his career, he seamlessly blended these roles, using each medium as a tool for expression and exploration. From his groundbreaking films to his thought-provoking performances and conceptual pieces, Gotovac’s work defied categorization, embodying the essence of interdisciplinary artistry. His contributions to cinema, conceptual art, and performance continue to inspire and influence contemporary artists across various disciplines.