ETC.: Selling Out
21. 5.–2. 6. 2024
MIDAS, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Artists: Željka Aleksić, Arbajt Kolektiv, Kemil Bekteši, Vuk Ćuk, Polina Davydenko, FaceOrFactory, Santa France, Kata Geibl, Lin Gerkman, Ieva Kraule-Kūna & Elīna Vītola, Nika Kupyrova, Pita Project, Maja Simišić, Barbora Šimková, Dorijan Šiško, Andrej Škufca, Tadej Vaukman, Linda Vilka, Katarzyna Wyszkowska, Rafał Żarski
All photos by Marijo Zupanov / ETC.
The exhibition Selling Out accompanies the third issue of ETC. Magazine of the same name, which this year focuses on the conditions of work in the art world and beyond, on the issues of commodification, and on entanglement in as well as the impossibility of exiting a system that demands more and more of us. In doing so, we rarely stop to question the basic assumptions of our own labour, such as why, for whom, for how much pay, and what is the true significance of our work. If we did, we might realise that we are too often blind to the systemic circumstances of our own lives, which means that the burden on the shoulders of an individual is all the greater. The exhibition inhabits a former shopping mall that, emptied of its merchandise, invites us to reflect on hyper-production, (self-)promotion, and entrapment in structures that exhaust us.
Most of us rarely stop to question the basic assumptions underlying our own labour: why we work, for whom, for how much pay, and what is the true significance of our work. If we did, we might realize that we are often blind to the systemic circumstances shaping our lives, thereby increasing the burden on individuals. This system, subtly promoted as following one's passion and loving what you do, often leads to overwork and unpaid labor, trapping individuals in a vicious cycle of exhaustion and unfulfilled promises.
The art world is not an exception, with artists, curators, writers, and producers often juggling multiple roles, resources, and deadlines in a relentless cycle. Many find themselves wearing multiple hats, stretched thin to make ends meet. Despite the struggle, there's resilience. Artists persevere, constantly producing, exhibiting, and networking to maintain visibility in an ever-demanding industry. Yet, at what cost?
The exhibition inhabits a former shopping mall that, emptied of its merchandise, invites us to reflect on hyper-production, (self-)promotion, and entrapment in structures that exhaust us. The space is named after the mythical king Midas whose golden touch rooted in greed and vanity was the cause of devastation as everything he touched, including what he truly needed to live, turned into gold. Similar is capitalism’s growth imperative, detached from the lived reality, exhausting some, starving others and massively rewarding the 1%.
Selling Out features work by artists included in the third issue of ETC. Magazine, showcasing artists and artist collectives from the Baltics to the Balkans. They employ diverse tactics and methods to tackle questions of labour, exploitation, and commodification as well as to resist the urge to silently give in to the norm.
The art world is not an exception, with artists, curators, writers, and producers often juggling multiple roles, resources, and deadlines in a relentless cycle. Many find themselves wearing multiple hats, stretched thin to make ends meet. Despite the struggle, there's resilience. Artists persevere, constantly producing, exhibiting, and networking to maintain visibility in an ever-demanding industry. Yet, at what cost?
The exhibition inhabits a former shopping mall that, emptied of its merchandise, invites us to reflect on hyper-production, (self-)promotion, and entrapment in structures that exhaust us. The space is named after the mythical king Midas whose golden touch rooted in greed and vanity was the cause of devastation as everything he touched, including what he truly needed to live, turned into gold. Similar is capitalism’s growth imperative, detached from the lived reality, exhausting some, starving others and massively rewarding the 1%.
Selling Out features work by artists included in the third issue of ETC. Magazine, showcasing artists and artist collectives from the Baltics to the Balkans. They employ diverse tactics and methods to tackle questions of labour, exploitation, and commodification as well as to resist the urge to silently give in to the norm.
Lin Gerkman First Snow, series of photographs, installation, 2015–. 
Željka Aleksić, Blau Lagune, acrylic on canvas, 2021–2022.
Pita Project, Friends, installation, 2024. 
Arbajt Kolektiv, Meantime, Between Failures, installation, video, documentation of the performance, 2023. 
Maja Simišić, Nail Check, performance, 2022.
Rafał Żarski, Change of Movement Directions, installation, 2022.
Vuk Ćuk, Meme Series, acrylic on canvas, 2024. 
Linda Vilka, From the series We Are Allowed to Get Tired, plastic diamond painting kit, alkyd, acrylic, spray paint, varnish, 2023.
Polina Davydenko, Potter Wasp,
video: 8’55’’, 2022.
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Kata Geibl, There is Nothing New Under the Sun, digital print, 2021.
Kata Geibl, There is Nothing New Under the Sun, digital print, 2021.
Tadej Vaukman, Pleasure Centre, series of photographs and drawings, 2024.
Katarzyna Wyszkowska, Artistic Work, One More Nap, 500.000, photograph, 2022.
Ieva Kraule-Kūna & Elīna Vītola, Artist Crisis Center: Tact Gear, installation, 2020.
Dorijan Šiško, Trivial Pursuit, installation, 2023.
FaceOrFactory, Face of Corporate Building, installation, 2022.
Kemil Bekteši, EuroKruhek, bread, drawing, baking pans, metal chain, 2024.
Nika Kupyrova, Woman in Green, installation, video: 6’31’’, 2022.
Polina Davydenko, Public Tinnitus, video: 5’50’’, 2020.
Andrej Škufca, Black Market: Synthetic Zero, installation, 2019. 
Santa France, Beyond the Call of Duty, installation, website, 2021.Curated by ETC. with guest curator Tīna Pētersone
Visual Identity: Zoran Pungerčar
Exhibition Design: Nela Kuhnová, Matyáš Bálek
Supported by: City of Ljubljana, Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia,
The European Union / Goethe-Institut
Visual Identity: Zoran Pungerčar
Exhibition Design: Nela Kuhnová, Matyáš Bálek
Supported by: City of Ljubljana, Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia,
The European Union / Goethe-Institut
Etc. is a annual magazine, dedicated to showcasing current artistic production from the Baltic to the Balkans.
Based in Ljubljana, Slovenia, each issue is dedicated to a relevant topic in art and life. Founded to promote emerging artists, its goal is to initiate a dialogue, inspire collaborations, and challenge set views.