Serbian fashion photographer Jovana Mladenovic explores 'monumental fear'

Dotted across the landscapes of the former Yugoslavia are a series of monuments from World War II, standing solemn and grey in various states ranging from grandeur to decay.

Jovana Mladenovic, Interpretation of monuments

Jovana Mladenovic, Interpretation of monuments

Fashion photographer Jovana Mladenovic wanted to expand her practise to present these objects to the world not just as historical artefacts, but as moments in art history. Her presentations of them place them in synchronicity with the female body, as her models swoop and dance between them to create scenes that feel theatrical and vibrant, rather than static and reverent.

The 26-year-old photographer lis based in Belgrade, Serbia, and her work has been published in magazines including Elle, Faar, and RePhoto. Her Monumental Fear series is currently on show at the Interruption group exhibition of Balkan art at London's Library near Covent Garden, which aims to raise the profile of contemporary artists from the Balkan states including Romania, Montenegro, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Bosnia.

According to the exhibition organisers, Contemporary Balkan Art (CoBA), "contemporary art from the Balkans is characterised by social fragmentation, cultural interruption and economic uncertainty leading to rapid cultural and demographic changes." It adds that collectively, these artists' work "explores abstract humour to counterbalance existential difficulties arising from a multi-faceted national identity".  

Jovana Mladenovic, Interpretation of monuments

Jovana Mladenovic, Interpretation of monuments

Jovana Mladenovic, Interpretation of monuments

Jovana Mladenovic, Interpretation of monuments

Jovana Mladenovic, Interpretation of monuments

Jovana Mladenovic, Interpretation of monuments

Jovana Mladenovic, Interpretation of monuments

Jovana Mladenovic, Interpretation of monuments

Jovana Mladenovic, Interpretation of monuments

Jovana Mladenovic, Interpretation of monuments

Jovana Mladenovic, Interpretation of monuments

Jovana Mladenovic, Interpretation of monuments

Jovana Mladenovic, Interpretation of monuments

Jovana Mladenovic, Interpretation of monuments

Jovana Mladenovic, Monuments

Jovana Mladenovic, Monuments

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