Virtual friends, relief in granite

Works of Maja Rakočević-Cvijanov developed along these lines: from a strong desire to criticize negative phenomena in society and to make apparent deviations in the value system visible, the artist began testing the characteristics of transition. Her attempt to see the transition as a dual phenomenon, one that transforms society and one that leads to the evolution of the individual, is possible only within the art system, because it implies a deconstruction of established meaning.

Nela Tonković

Maja Rakočević wants to respond, by artistic means, to stereotypes designed by media to include herself in them by acting them out through imitation of situations where she places her body in the idealized phantasmal image of the “lucky couple”. Photos of couples in romantic advertising plots where love is attainable, and a happy ending is the only certainty, underline the ideology of consumerist culture.

Tanja Marković

The starting point and destination of changes are connected by the very transition, the passing through certain conditions, transition from one condition into another, and this, emancipatory understanding of the notion of transition and insisting on its consistent implementation and frequent practicing it in everyday life, is a deeply humanistic message of Maja’s works.

Nela Tonković

" With Maja, different life stages become artistic cycles. Her art develops as her existential status changes: social subject - daughter - student – woman in love - wife - mother - worker - housewife - neighbour - fellow citizen ... "

Nebojša Milenković

When identity layers that are offered to the observer become traumatic places of dilemma: art or everyday life, Maja Rakočević Cvijanov finds escape in humour ... Complex and ambivalent experiences of motherhood are here presented through a review of clichés of maternal role, confirming the famous slogan of the second wave of feminism (70s years of XX century ) on the personal as political.

Tanja Marković

Project / exhibition of Maja Rakočević-Cvijanov insists on the humanistic dimension of contemporary art, skilfully balancing between the need for criticizing the society and empathy toward its particular part.

Nela Tonković

Dealing with photography, video, performance and sculpture with equal passion, both in classical and unconventional materials - through direct, visually refined and structurally clear works and series of works - Maja presents complex and socially aware contents. Whatever the contemporary artists say, they always talk about themselves, and equally, about the implicit contexts of society in which their work is created. Experience tells us that in the case of Maja Rakočević Cvijanov we can expect future works along the lines of active participation, empathic discerning and critical deliberation of self as well as the life of the community in which her work will continue.

Nebojša Milenković