Paused particles of Lipa (linden)

sculpture (isomalt, ground powder of linden leaves), variable size

2022 -

Lipa - the name of the village is also a Croatian word for a linden tree.

Isomalt is used as a base for pastry decorations. It is not hydrophilic like sugar and does not dissolve at room temperature. Cooked isomalt is solid at room temperature, but if potentially left in the rain, wind, or higher temperatures, it would decompose.

The work Paused particles of Lipa (linden) builds on the previous work in which the powder of dried, ground linden leaves was installed in different public spaces in Lipa village, known as one of the few places in Europe completely destroyed during The Second World War. Despite the great suffering and the fact that almost the entire population was killed during the war, and the settlement was burned, the community of Lipa managed to rebuild itself on new foundations of tolerance and peace. Spreading the powder of the linden tree, as a symbol of the story of its restoration, the author spreads the regeneration potential of the settlement itself. This sculpture was made by mixing powdered linden leaves into a mixture of isomalt and cast into a cube which is solid at room temperature, but decomposable in water and at higher temperatures. The linden powder and regeneration potential are thus saved (stored) for future needs.

— Radmila Iva Janković (Museum of Contemporary Art, Zagreb)

The amber isomalt cube on a white background, with visible linden leaf particles embedded inside.
Close-up of a corner of the amber isomalt cube, showing its glassy, textured surface.
Overhead close-up of the isomalt cube's top corner and surface texture.
Diagonal overhead view of the amber isomalt cube against a light blue backdrop.
Close-up of another corner of the isomalt cube, showing embedded linden leaf particles.
Gallery installation view with a video screen on a stand beside a floor-to-ceiling window, the sculpture visible through the Museum window. Sculpture is displayed outside the gallery 2 meters from the Museum window and video screen inside.
The sculpture displayed on a thin black metal stand against a white wall with a printed text panel behind it.
Close-up of the sculpture on its stand, showing a weathered surface with white efflorescence patches.
Wide eye-level view of the sculpture on its black metal stand, with a flight of concrete steps blurred in the background.
Wide view of the sculpture on its stand in a glass-walled corner, with another artwork faintly visible in the window's reflection.
Close-up of the sculpture's crumbling white surface, with a dark charred streak running diagonally across it.
Front view of the sculpture on its rusted metal stand, reflected in the surrounding glass-walled corner.
Extreme close-up of the sculpture's pale granular surface meeting the corner of its rusted metal stand.
Extreme close-up of the sculpture's dark, charred crust breaking over its pale granular interior.
Wide view from inside the building, looking out through a glass wall at the sculpture displayed on its stand against the concrete stairs.
Installation view, XV. Triennial of Croatian Sculpture, Museum of Contemporary Art, Zagreb, 2025
Gallery entrance with wall text reading "Institute of the Invisible" and the sculpture displayed on a stand.
The sculpture on its stand, showing a weathered surface with white patches, with an exhibition text panel blurred in the background.
Extreme close-up of the sculpture's weathered surface, with a small speck of green moss.
Angled close-up of the sculpture's weathered surface, showing dark and cream-colored patches.
Installation view, 29th Slavonian Biennial, Osijek, 2024

Photo credits

Installation view at XV. Triennial of Croatian Sculpture: Vedran Benović (photo 1)

Croatian title

Pauzirane čestice Lipe