Radical Copies: The 15th Muslim Mulliqi International Exhibition Open Call

Revisiting the Politics of Reproduction

The National Gallery of Kosova has launched its latest international call, inviting practitioners to engage with duplication as a method of creative and critical inquiry. Under the banner RADICAL COPIES and overseen by curator May Makki, the fifteenth iteration of the Muslim Mulliqi International Exhibition will take place in March 2027. Rather than celebrating singular genius, the programme positions replication as a deliberate strategy for examining authorship, cultural memory, and the circulation of visual culture.

A Legacy of Systemic Refusal

The conceptual framework draws directly from the work of Goran Đorđević, whose 1979 initiative sought to dismantle conventional art market structures. By urging peers to withdraw from institutional networks, the Prizren-born creator highlighted the alienation inherent in creative labour. Although only a fraction of the invited cohort participated, the initiative ultimately pivoted toward a sustained investigation of reproduction. Đorđević subsequently produced meticulous reproductions of established masterworks, using duplication to question the perceived sanctity of the original and the economic mechanisms that sustain it. This historical precedent forms the backbone of the current invitation, which asks participants to treat the copy not as a derivative afterthought, but as a primary mode of production.

Formal Echoes and Material Conditions

Beyond intentional reproduction, the curatorial brief emphasises how visual parallels can emerge from entirely separate historical contexts. The call specifically references the case of Feriha Rada, whose portrait was deliberately damaged during the 1999 conflict in Prizren. Despite the violent circumstances surrounding its alteration, the resulting composition shares a striking visual affinity with Lucio Fontana's renowned slashed canvases. Such coincidences demonstrate how identical gestures can carry profoundly divergent political weight depending on their origin. By foregrounding these intersections, the exhibition seeks to map how formal similarities often obscure the distinct socio-economic realities that shape each image. Participants are encouraged to explore duplication across a broad spectrum of methodologies, including citation, bootlegging, translation, and deliberate refusal.

Regional Context and Curatorial Vision

The Muslim Mulliqi exhibition has long served as a vital platform for cross-border dialogue within the region. By framing duplication as a legitimate artistic methodology, May Makki's curation challenges the persistent emphasis on novelty that often dictates institutional programming. In an era where digital reproduction and algorithmic generation have rendered the concept of the original increasingly fluid, returning to manual or conceptual copying offers a necessary corrective. It forces viewers to confront the materiality of image-making and the institutional structures that assign value to certain gestures over others. This approach aligns with broader contemporary shifts toward collaborative authorship and archival activism, positioning the exhibition as a relevant intervention rather than a retrospective exercise.

Participation Details

The programme welcomes submissions from creators operating across the Western Balkans and surrounding territories. Eligible locations include Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, and Slovenia. Selected contributors will exhibit alongside a roster of invited practitioners and may be considered for the Muslim Mulliqi Award, determined by an independent panel of specialists.

Applications must be submitted by 15 September 2026. Candidates should provide a curriculum vitae, a concise statement outlining their proposed approach, and a portfolio limited to fifteen pages. All materials should be directed to the gallery's communications address. Successful applicants will receive confirmation by 20 November 2026. For clarification regarding submission protocols or programme logistics, interested parties may reach out to Anila Spahiu, the institution's media coordinator.