In 2015, Slovenian artist and businessman Miha Murn established Atelje Art Murn International – AAMI with an aim to represent various artists on the art market. AAMI offers to artists space for exhibiting, promoting and selling their works. An integral part of Institute AAMI’s work is to raise awareness and educate the general public about the arts. Their vision is to become the leading organization for the development and systematization of art and culture in Slovenia and around the globe, along with connecting the art world with business. At the moment, they are present in 15 countries with activities especially engaged in Ljubljana, London, Prague and Hong Kong.
Some of AAMI’s engagements are organising exhibitions, art events, workshops, art courses, art talks etc. One of them, and their biggest and most demanding project, is the organization of Slovenia`s largest art event – ART Expo Ljubljana. At the first ART Expo Ljubljana in 2017 more than 140 artists from 15 different countries presented their artworks. The second edition of the ART Expo is announced to last for five day, between the 12th and 16th of September and will be held in GR – Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre’s Steklena Hall (Glass Hall). ART Expo Ljubljana presents the AAMI platform as a whole, making it the largest event of its kind in Slovenia, bringing together various arts, from renowned to emerging artists.
The 2nd ART Expo Ljubljana will gather artists, people engaged in culture, businessmen, creators, as well as people who are just curious and might be interested in any of the AAMI’s projects. Organisers note: “The 2nd ART Expo Ljubljana will definitely be an improved version of the first one as many more aspiring and excellent Slovenian and foreign artists, galleries, companies and also foreign embassies will join in.” They expect 10,000 visitors in five days who will come to see presentations of around 300 domestic and foreign artists and their talent during an intense arts and culture happening.
It is no surprise that Institute AAMI chose the GR – Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre for the Expo’s venue as the GR boasts an extremely rich history of hosting cultural and art events. In 1975, for example, it hosted the Biennial of Yugoslav Industrial Design. Four years later, the Slovenian Book Fair. In 1986, the travelling exhibition Architect Jože Plečnik 1872-1957. And lately, for example, the exhibitions of The May Salon of The Slovenian Association of Fine Arts Societies which featured between 2011 and 2014 over 150 local conmtemporary authors. And last, but not least, the world exhibition Genius – Da Vinci (2013) that was in half a year seen by more than 68,000 visitors.
