Docile Bodies Chosen YU

DOCILE BODIES – CHOSEN YU

Kosovke devojke 3, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia

• Event frequency: SINGLE
• Organized by: Event by U10
• Privacy info: Public · Hosted by U10

Description

The Chosen YU platform presents the exhibition “Docile Bodies” at U10 Art Space in Belgrade from 21 to 26 July, as part of the Podium project. The exhibition builds on the work of the Working Group for the Program, which functions as a space for gathering, self-organization, independent production, and collaborative work among emerging creators.

Chosen YU is a platform dedicated to presenting, archiving, and connecting contemporary queer artistic practices from the former Yugoslav region. Through the exhibition, video programme, performances, and talks, Chosen YU opens a space for reflecting on the relationships between the body, gender, and systems of social visibility from the perspective of queer identities.

“Docile Bodies” starts from the notion of “docile bodies” in Michel Foucault’s book Discipline and Punish, placing it within a contemporary queer context. The exhibition examines the rules that shape the body, behaviour, identity, and an individual’s position within the system. In this context, discipline is not seen as a neutral form of progress but as a system of control that produces bodies and identities adapted to social norms—legible, useful, and obedient. The queer position appears as a way to understand, question, and dismantle such norms, opening space for alternative forms of existence and representation. As part of the programme, the opening on 21 July at 7:00 PM will feature the performances Willendorf: An Independent Body by Luka Joksimović and the delegated performance Anarchitecture by Ilja Simin, while Slavic Pagania will be performed on 26 July. The exhibition, performance, and video programme includes work by Ilja Simin, Luka Joksimović, Ivana Ivković, Nikola Radosavljević, Karlo Štefanek, Anastasija Pavić, Vukadin Filipović, Ilija Vujošević, Kvarcna Ruža, Aurora Obscene, Aleksa Jovanović, Maja Simišić, Silvio Vujičić, Pavle Banović, Isidora Branković, and Edvard Winters.

The accompanying programme is developed through the Chosen Theory series, which includes artist talks, portfolio presentations, and Chosen Reads. The discussions will address how norms are produced and maintained through the internet and surveillance, feminist perspectives on the body, and the role of the art system, education, institutions, and visibility mechanisms in shaping identity and social relations. Participants include Nevena Ostojić, Ana Simić, Aleksa Jovanović, Bojana Jovanović, Vladimir Bijeličić, Sunčica Psuljević Kandić, Ilja Simin, and Luka Joksimović. A special programme segment is Queer Video Night—an evening of screenings of video works and experimental films.

The exhibition opens on 21 July at 7:00 PM as part of the programme section The Body as a Political Terrain, accompanied by performances, discussions, and public talks.

Fill out the registration form for CHOSEN READS, taking place on 24 July at 6:00 PM at U10 Art Space: CHOSEN READS form