Through a reflection on the artist’s family home in Srbac, close to Banja Luka, the exhibition represents an artistic exploration of domestic heritage and residential housing in Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Balkans.

With a series of photographs, video works, and her attempt to have these (un)finished houses – otherwise destined to anonymity – officially recognized as historical monuments, the artist invites us to question the importance of everyday places and how they shape our cultural, social, and emotional ties.

On May 16, 2016, Saša Tatić submitted a formal proposal to the Commission for the Preservation of National Monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina to designate the artist’s family house as a national monument. To date, no response has been received.

A personal example of a functional yet partially finished residential building serves as a representative case of the widespread phenomenon of structures left in a raw, unfinished state for extended periods. The proposal to grant monument status to such a building aims to raise awareness of this condition while acknowledging its cultural and emotional significance—including its constructive aspects.

Reflecting broader architectural patterns across the former Yugoslav region, the project includes testimonies from representatives of three families living in unfinished houses. They share their experiences, the circumstances that led to their homes’ current state, and the realities of living in spaces that, while incomplete, continue to function as meaningful and deeply valued homes.

(un)finished house / multimedia installation / short film, documents, photographs / 2019-22

Text and photo: Saša Tatić