Page 6 - DjordjeAndrejevićKun

For peace, bread and freedom – December 14 (1950)

The most imposing work of Kun’s creative opus represents the moment of conflict between demonstrators and the police in Belgrade
at the Slavija Square on December 14, 1939. Demonstrations were organized by the Communist Party of Yugoslavia, so the support
was, besides the youth of this organization, provided by workers and numerous individuals, all together against war and fascism for
freedom, democracy and better life.

The most complex Kun’s work in terms of fine arts and composition shows policemen without distinctive facial features while faces of
demonstrators are done in more detail in order to emphasize their role in this historically important moment. The value of composition
lies also in the fact that violence is not shown; however the atmosphere of the anticipation of violence preparing to escalate in every
moment is achieved by the display with a dosed dramatics. This artwork was created as the artist’s postwar review on the historic
event, the fight for student and worker rights of left-oriented citizens and the strong resistance and rebellion against fascism. Kun
belonged to the group “Life” where he together with students and workers, whose organizations authorities persistently banned,
fought for their rights, hence he skillfully transferred his lived experiences to canvas. Due to this, the dynamics of movements is so
alive, the composition plausible and the richness of color value highlights the balanced ratio of large masses and surfaces as well as
the documentary side and strength of the captured moment.

Text:

Head of Department for Preservation of Cultural Goods and Protocol Affairs

Sandra Vesić Tesla, Curator, MA in Art History

Head of Group for Protection, Preservation and Presentation of Cultural Goods and Translation

Branislav Mihajlov, Curator, MA in Art History, MSc in PR and MC

Translation:

Group for Protection, Preservation and Presentation of Cultural Goods and Translation

Jelena Maksimović, MA in Philology – English language and literature