Untitled 

This untitled artwork by Marko Pogacnik presents us with a series of minimalist drawings, each depicting hands holding what appears to be a dowsing rod. The repetition and subtle variations invite us to contemplate the unseen forces and energies that dowsing seeks to detect. Pogacnik’s work, stemming from a background in the avant-garde art collective OHO in 1960s Yugoslavia, often engaged with alternative spiritualities and ecological concerns, marking a clear departure from state-sanctioned artistic norms. We might see the artist’s interest in geomancy as a rejection of communist ideologies, as well as more broadly, the increasing hold of a rationalized, scientific worldview. To fully understand Pogacnik's work, it's necessary to consider his cultural context, characterized by social unrest, geopolitical uncertainty, and the search for alternative ways of being in the world. Art historians look to archives, personal papers, and critical literature to shed light on the meaning of these artworks and their relationship to wider social issues. The dowsing rod could be understood as a metaphor for the artist's search for deeper meaning and connection.