WORK IN PROGRESS RESERACH-BASED ART PROJECT

We Belong Here — An Artistic Exploration of Belonging and Identity in Lika
The project We Belong Here explores the complex relationships of belonging to land, community, and tradition through the lens of rural life in Lika.

PART 1: July 23rd – 30th, 2021, 7-day trip throughout the Croatian rural region of Lika as part of work in progress project (during Polygon Residency):
– SERIES OF PHOTOS
– NOTES AND INTERVIEWS
– PDF PUBLICATION

DAY 1
Rijeka – Sv. Juraj – Volarice – Oltari – Zavižan – Anići (Krasno)
DAY 2
Anići (Krasno) – Zavižan – Premužić Trail – Kuterevo – Velika Rudinka – Selište – Donji Kosinj – Gornji Kosinj – Mlakva – Krušičko Lake (Kruščica) – Perušić – Kaluđerovac
DAY 3
Kaluđerovac – Klanac – Smiljan – Gospić – Novoselo Bilajsko – Lički Ribnik – Medak – Konjsko Polje – Mogorić – Donja Ploča – Opalić – Klanac – Srednja Gora – Breštane – Krbavsko Field (Podlapača, Donji Meknjar, Gornji Meknjar, Jagodinje, Svračkovo Selo, Šalamunić) – Bunić – Vrpile – Korenica – Bjelopolje – Plješevica – Donji Lapac – Lapačko Field – Oraovac
DAY 4
Oraovac – Donji Lapac – Birovača – Kruge – Nebljusi – Štrbački Buk – Donji Lapac – Gornji Lapac – Dobroselo – Brotnja – Suvaja – Spring of the Una – Srb – Dobroselo – Mazinsko Field (Mazin) – Bruvno – Derinaj – Gračac – Grab – Vućipolje – Malovan – Otrić – Spring of the Zrmanja – Kusac
DAY 5
Kusac – Palanka – Radučić – Burnum – Manojlovi Waterfalls – Krka Monastery – Kistanje – Ervenik – Bundale – Kaštel Žegarski – Bilišane – Zrmanja – Muškovci – Gračac – Kusac
DAY 6
Kusac – Palanka – Gračac – Štikada – Ričiće – Ličko Cerje – Lovinac – Parčići – Gornja Ploča – Zir – Papuča – Medački Pocket (Počitelj, Lički Čitluk, Divoselo) – Gospić – Smiljan – Žitnik – Klanac – Kaluđerovac – Čojluk – Klanac – Aleksinica – Donje Pazarište – Podastrana – Španjuša – Štirovača – Krasno Polje – Devčići – Gorići – Švica – Otočac – Prozor (Gacka)
DAY 7
Prozor (Gacka) – Otočac – Vrhovine – Donji Babin Potok – Gornji Babin Potok – Plitvički Ljeskovac – Končarev Kraj – Plitvice – Plitvičko Selo – Jezerce – Prijeboj – Ličko Petrovo Selo – Željava – Plitvice – Plitvičko Selo – Poljanak – Srtić Poljana – Kuselj – Saborsko – Lička Jasenica – Mala Kapela – Dabar – Glavače – Podum – Otočac – Čovići – Sinac – Vrelo Gacke – Prozor
DAY 8
Prozor (Gacka) – Otočac – Krasno Polje – Senj – Novi Vinodolski – Rijeka

PART 2 – July 6th – 12th, 2022, 6-day trip to Lika in collaboration with the Veterinary Center Gospić,
– SERIES OF PHOTOS
– AUDIO INTERVIEWS

Through audio and photographic recordings and conversations with local inhabitants, this phase of the project investigates themes such as living off the land, relationships with animals essential for sustaining households, as well as issues of social and national identity.

Special attention is given to indigenous Lika breeds — Buša cattle and Pramenka sheep — whose fate reflects broader social and economic changes in the region. The project examines the paradox between traditional livestock practices and contemporary subsidies, and the impact of politics and economy on rural communities.

Through interviews with 18 individuals from various generations, emphasizing voices of women and men from diverse social backgrounds, the project reveals personal and collective narratives about life, migration, wartime experiences, and economic changes in Lika.

The research outcome will be an intermedial spatial installation that combines photography, sound, and original text, merging a documentary approach with elements of fiction and poetry. The installation offers a multilayered perspective on Lika through the voices of animals and people, creating a dynamic narrative of belonging, memory, and future.

Collaboration with the local Veterinary Station Gospić provided deep insight into daily life and helped build trust within the community, which was crucial for the authenticity of the project.