Mangelos

Dimitrije Bašičević Mangelos, commonly known as Mangelos, was a Serbian artist born in Šid in 1921. He is known for his radical approach to art and his unconventional use of language and symbols in his work.

Mangelos initially studied law in Belgrade before turning his attention to art. He was a self-taught artist, and his unique approach to art was influenced by his interest in philosophy and politics. In the 1950s, Mangelos became involved in the avant-garde art scene in Belgrade and was a member of the influential Group of Six Artists. The group aimed to push the boundaries of traditional art forms and experimented with new approaches to art making.

Throughout his career, Mangelos was interested in exploring the relationship between language and art. He believed that language was an essential part of artistic expression and used it to challenge traditional artistic conventions. He created a unique visual language that was based on the use of symbols and abstract forms, which he called "anti-haiku."

Mangelos' work was heavily influenced by his political beliefs, and he used his art as a means of commenting on social and political issues. He was particularly critical of the communist government in Yugoslavia, and his work often reflected his dissatisfaction with the political situation in the country.

Mangelos' work has been exhibited extensively throughout Europe and the United States, and he is widely regarded as one of the most important Serbian artists of the 20th century. He passed away in 1987 in Zagreb, Croatia, but his legacy continues to inspire new generations of artists.