Oliver Musovik: Plant Adaptations

Opening: Friday, October 24, 2025 / 8 p.m.

Within the broader framework of the ubiquitous and important philosophy of the already pressing need for symbiosis between nature and man, interdependence, complementarity, cooperation and participation of the multitude of species in a society on the brink of extinction (Anna Tsing, Donna Haraway, Murray Bookchin), the idea of ​​the importance of abandoned spaces as opposed to cultivated spaces, as spaces of regeneration that in some way exemplify the indestructible rebellious energy of nature, has been discovered. According to the theories of the third landscape or fourth nature, it is precisely these disturbed lands that, if not neglected as remnants or weeds, are new ecosystems that open up space to reconsider the preservation of nature and natural diversity, but also offer examples of different principles of organization based on principles of mutual aid, solidarity and cooperation, as drivers of evolution. The third landscape, according to the concept of the renowned landscape architect and gardener Gilles Clément, is the space that is usually treated as neglected – the undecided spaces, devoid of function and difficult to name.

This is precisely the focus of the latest phase of Oliver Musovik’s (1971) developing artistic line, one of the most active artists from the country, who has been present on the local scene since the late 1990s, and has been actively presenting himself on the world art scene since. In the last two years, he has been developing several photographic series that process the spaces of the “third landscape” inhabited by ruderal ecologies, that is, plants that grow on ruins (the etymology is from the Latin word rudus, ruins). These plants challenge conventional notions of botanical beauty and merit, and according to the artist, are unsung heroes of survival, inspiring respect with their adaptability, while often dismissed as “weeds”.

Musovik discovers his passion for research in these plants, and through his artistic engagement, he provides them the opportunity to shine, to receive recognition for their work, as a kind of celebration of the resilience of life on the fringes and the captivating allure of the “third landscape.” That is, these self-organized communities, devoid of human interference, not only exemplify the power of nature but also the unexpected moments of chance for different communities to form. But Musovik also notes encouragement from the philosophies of social ecology of the American social theorist and political philosopher Murray Bookchin, which is, in fact, a call for social reconstruction along ecological lines, which broadly implies that environmental challenges stem from profound societal issues or the dominance over the natural world.

In this direction, the exhibition “Plant Adaptations” is being formed, which includes the series “Overgrown” from 2023, “Ruderal Herbarium” from 2023-2025, “Ruderal Herbarium of Singapore” from 2024, “Microclimates” from 2024 and “AItlas of Singaporean Ferns” from 2025, as well as one series of two, and one single photograph. It is a research endeavor manifested in several groups of photographs, some of them accompanied by text, in which the artist records natural phenomena, most often in the form of contemporary botanical catalogs, as well as a digital publication, fully illustrated and co-authored with advanced AI language models, which is placed on a computer for free viewing. These are works that were created when the artist was in artist residencies in Austria, Singapore, Germany, and France, and which have already been presented to the audience there (at the kunstraumarcade in Mödling, Austria and at the Singapore Art Museum, Singapore), and which are being presented in the country for the first time.

These series presented within the framework of the exhibition “Plant Adaptations” complete a research oeuvre of the author, who has observed different plant species and adaptations in different climates around the world.

With “Plant Adaptations”, the artist Oliver Musovik marks 30 years of professional artistic activity, that is, 30 years since his first solo exhibition at the Art Gallery, Bitola, in 1995. This exhibition takes place 18 years after his last solo exhibition, “The Artist” at the Museum of Contemporary Art – Skopje, in 2007.

Excerpt from the text by the curator Ivana Vaseva about the exhibition

Oliver Musovik (1971, Skopje) is a visual artist working across multiple media, mostly photography and visual storytelling. 

His practice explores the intersection of nature, urban space, and social dynamics, with particular focus on adaptation and resilience in transitional environments. His work foregrounds the landscape as a socio-ecological construct shaped by humans and nonhumans, contributing to dialogues on ecological resilience, sustainability, and the role of art in fostering critical awareness.

His work has been presented internationally, including at SAM – Singapore Art Museum (2025), the Museum of Contemporary Art Zagreb (2023), the Museum of Contemporary Art Skopje, +MSUM Metelkova Ljubljana (2021, 2018), MACRO – Museum of Contemporary Art, Rome (20024), Camera Austria, Kunsthaus Graz (2004), the Fridericianum Kassel (2003), Manifesta 4 (Frankfurt, 2002), and the Istanbul Biennial (1999).

Musovik’s works are held in public collections such as n.b.k. Berlin, the Museum of Contemporary Art Skopje, Fondazione Fotografia Modena, and +MSUM Ljubljana.

His works have been published in art publications, including “Autobiography” (Thames and Hudson, 2004), “Vitamin Ph – New Perspectives in Photography” (Phaidon, 2006), and “Photo Art: Photography in the 21st Century” (Dumont 2007 / Aperture, 2008).

He has also participated in residency programs across Europe, Asia, and the United States.

The exhibition is financially supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of North Macedonia. MoCA – Skopje friend: Tikves.