Bosnia’s 3rd contemporary art biennale to open in former Tito bunker

An army reserve bunker in Konjić, Bosnia will open its blast-proof doors on 24 April to host the third edition of the Project Bienniale of Contemporary Art. This year the Bienniale Project, jointly curated and supported by Austria and Albania, will centre around the Cold War and its legacy, exploring the alternative social, political and ecological movements that emerged during this period.

‘‘The 3rd Project Bienniale of Contemporary Art is interested in the dreams and visions of the contemporaries of the Cold War up to the present day, whose lives are based on the conviction that another world is possible’’ a statement on the project’s website reads.

The bunker, known as ARK D-0, was built from 1953 to 1979 and was intended to shelter Yugoslavia’s leader Josip Broz Tito and 350 of his closest political and military aides in the event of a possible attack. According to reports, ARK D-0 may be facing difficult times ahead due to local authorities’ funding constraints. No private bidders have emerged so far.