Take a deep dive into the everyday objects that showcase Yugoslav design at its best
15 August 2019
Text:
Katie Marie Davies
Born and raised in the former Yugoslavia, art historian Špela Golčer lovingly curates an Instagram stash of socialist design.
Too young to remember much of Tito’s regime, she retains an affection for the socialist-era artefacts that were once scattered around her everyday life.
“I don’t recollect everyday life in Yugoslavia, but I can still remember certain items that were in use at the time,” says Golčer, who’s now based in Ljubljana. “I’m not particularly nostalgic about Yugoslavia as a socialist country, but I’ve always rather enjoyed the era’s industrial and graphic design.”
Yugoslavia might now be gone, but Golčer hopes her account can help revive the country’s long-neglected design heritage. She also runs an online store for people who want to own a small piece of Yugoslav design for themselves.
“Yugoslav design is often overlooked in the history of industrial and graphic design,” Golčer told The Calvert Journal. “Companies like electronics manufacturer Iskra were at the forefront of industrial design. I am pleased to see that people are now recognising Yugoslav design as something unique, putting it rightfully back on the world design map.”
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