The workshop ‘Student on the Tree’ was led by the artist Miloš Tomić, a screenwriter and creator of animated films, born in Belgrade, who currently lives and works in Slovenia. His latest project, in which he participated, is ‘That Damn Father’s Camera!’ (2021).
About the workshop with the students at the School of Arts at the University of Nova Gorica, he said: ‘The workshop took place in an open and friendly atmosphere. The games and tasks that encouraged imagination brought ideal drawing motives, which we then analyzed and refined through lively and critical discussion. The students responded to the main theme in various ways, and I tried to be a non-intrusive mentor – although I encouraged them in every way to develop their ideas to the fullest and bring them to shine. The works were created in groups of 3–4, in pairs, or individually. I also introduced the photography students to a mini-course in stop-motion animation, with which they were not yet familiar, while I, myself, also learned something new from the animation students. In the end, I believe that we all gained something from this workshop and that we ‘grew’ from one another.
The moments, ideas, and concepts that emerged from the workshop will be showcased at the main event of the Kaki – Tree of Life project, which will take place on October 8, 2025, when we will ceremoniously plant a descendant of the tree from Nagasaki and, in doing so, place the GO! 2025 area on the map of this global family. The project, which promotes peace, will further contribute to the idea of two cities with a difficult past, ready to overcome old historical troubles. We will plant the sapling of the bombed Kaki tree from Nagasaki as a symbol of peace and proof that life always finds its way.
At the main event, the mentor of this workshop, artist Miloš Tomić, will prepare a special performance for all the event participants.
The project is part of the official programme of the European Capital of Culture 2025 Nova Gorica – Gorizia.
