The Foundation Cassa di Risparmio di Jesi presents a landmark exhibition titled STRIPBURGER: Pioneers of Independent Comics | 33 Years on the Scene, curated by Katerina Mirović and Alessio Trabacchini, with coordination by Roberto Gigli and project management by Mauro Tarantino. This retrospective celebrates three decades of an iconoclastic, punk-spirited force that has broadened the horizons of the comic medium and connected distant worlds through visual storytelling.
From its origins in Ljubljana as a transmedia artistic collective, Stripburger evolved into a beacon of visual narration while maintaining strong ties to performing arts, music, and the broader plastic arts. The exhibition highlights the collective’s enduring role as one of the most important and longest-running laboratories of European underground and experimental comics. Even amid the darkest periods of the Yugoslav wars, Stripburger persisted as a hub of encounter and collaboration, proving that art can bridge continents and cultures when driven by curiosity and resilience.
Key themes of the show include:
- A journey through three decades of independent comics, with a focus on visual storytelling and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
- A bridge between Western, Central, and Eastern European scenes, linking renowned talents such as Lorenzo Mattotti, Anke Feuchtenberger, Peter Kuper, and Aleksandar Zograf.
- A steadfast commitment to showcasing a wide range of voices while staying true to an iconoclastic and socially aware ethos.
- An ongoing dialogue between comics and other art forms—from theater and music to audiovisual media and contemporary sculpture.
In addition to the core installation, the exhibition features a rich program of related events designed to broaden access to and conversation around the art form. This year’s lineup emphasizes social and political dimensions alongside artistic exploration. Highlights include:
- An opening weekend with the Stripburger collective, featuring a conference on the 33-year trajectory and readings by Slavic poets.
- Public performances and readings, such as the spoken-word rendition of Srecko Kosovel’s poems (Ostri Ritmi) and live guitar by Martin Ramoveš.
- Kid-friendly workshops, school talks, film screenings, and hands-on laboratories organized in collaboration with local partners like AccaFotografia and Ratatà festival.
Artists in the exhibition include original pieces by Andrej Štular, Matej Stupica, Kaja Avberšek, Marko Kociper, David Krančan, Tanja Komadina, Martin Ramoveš, Domen Finžgar, Gašper Rus, and Matej Kocjan. Their works invite visitors to experience the personal visions that have driven independent comics across Europe.
Opening-week events and related activities will feature talks, readings, workshops, and collaborative projects with local cultural organizations, reinforcing Stripburger’s role as a living, evolving platform for independent comics and interdisciplinary exchange.
This exhibition not only commemorates three and a half decades of creative risk-taking but also invites audiences—long-time fans and newcomers alike—to participate in a continuing conversation about what independent comics can reveal about culture, politics, and art.
Photo credits: La Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Jesi
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