Aleksandar Todorovic – Iconostasis of Isms
Iconostasis of Isms (2008-2018)
Encountering Aleksandar Todorovic’s ‘𝘐𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘐𝘴𝘮𝘴’ series is a visual adventure like no other. Drawing from its prominent use in the Orthodox Church, the Serbian artist uses the iconostases to create comic book-like scenes that depict the controversial systems of modern/historic societies. Ranging from the ‘𝘐𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘮’ to the ‘𝘐𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘊𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘮’, Todorovic adapts a satirical approach in conveying serious political messages that comprise scenes of monstrous proportions. The collection in total is a series of 9 paintings, with 4 of them dedicated to Serbia’s socio-political landscape and history.
Aleksandar was born in Belgrade in 1982 & obtained a masters degree from the Belgrade Faculty of Fine Arts. His triptychs are made with watercolours, acrylic and ink on paper, with a total frame of approx. 100 x 80 centimetres. Each work in the series has an especially profound impression on the viewer; sometimes layered in disgust, though never considering to look away. Todorovic’s use of caricatures and pop-culture design style bizzarely contrast the religious/historic connotation of the iconostasis that the work uses as a canvas.
Aleksandar’s latest addition to the series is called the ‘Iconostasis of Connectivism’, completed in 2018. This elaborate masterpiece focuses on technology’s effect on the dependence and interconnectedness of the modern world and features symbols of Trump, Putin and Steve Jobs. In 2014, Todorovic’s mesmerizing work was recognized in Kurt Bees ‘𝟷𝟶𝟶 𝘗𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘛𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘸’ a book that curated the most promising young artists of the modern day.
All artwork/images are property of Aleksandar Todorovic.
