Visits to cultural institutions and lessons outside the classroom are frequent activities at Savremena. This time, the students visited an unusual exhibition: the first haute couture fashion show in Belgrade’s Museum of Contemporary Art.

The students attended Love is Love: Wedding Bliss for All a la Jean Paul Gaultier, the grand finale of the of the record breaking exhibition The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk, which attracted many visitors throughout the world.

The students arrived excited at one of the most beautiful museums in the region, knowing that the exhibition is an unusual concept. Although it promotes haute couture, it actually talks about the social role of fashion and sends a strong message of freedom and tolerance.

This, according to many, most lavish art exhibition by the famous French designer, connects many countries and subcultures, and encourages diversity. It is also Gaultier’s goodbye to the world of fashion. And for the Museum of Contemporary Arts, it was an opportunity to join the biggest museums around the world which approach socially engaged art in a similar manner, linking it to the messages sent by haute couture.

PRIMARY STUDENTS INTRODUCED TO IMPORTANT CULTURAL PATTERNS

Everything begins with a good and comprehensive education, and such education is tightly connected to art and culture. Savremena adheres to this principle in art lessons. Together with their teacher, the students made an in-depth analysis of the artistic aspects of the exhibition and provided feedback.

Their feedback was extremely positive, and their comments indicated a high level of knowledge when it comes to art, as the students focused on different artistic approaches which they analysed with their teacher. The students particularly highlighted the social aspect which the exhibition promotes – the fight for diversity and human rights.

What the curator of the exhibition stated, the students recognised. Namely that Gaultier is not a brand, but an idea of equality, support, diversity and tolerance, and if anyone ought to be fighting for tolerance in a society, it should be the artists. Art is comprehensive, free, it allows for emotions, personal expression, provocation, and critical thinking.

Primary School Savremena has once again shown the benefits of interesting lessons in the classroom without walls, continuing to be an inspiring environment that encourages creativity and cultural development both in and outside the classroom.