Tanja Stupar-Trifunović

Currently I am working on a novel with the working title “Nedostatak” (Shortage) and on a new book of poems.
In short, the novel problematizes the impact of politics on intimacy, the impact of history on human lives, and it examines the possibility or the impossibility of art to break through the skin-deep layers of a mimic life and offer some sort of consolatory redemption for an individual stuck in the obscurity of local reality and illusory possibility of choice. The novel follows two generations of one family, who thanks to different circumstances in which they grew up (socialistic and transitional) see the world and their place in it in different ways. Both possess a distinctive shortage, in which all their aspirations, endeavors and a sense of losing something important merge, all which transfers from one generation to another, making the same feeling of shortage the tightest link inside the family. While constantly attempting “just to survive”, they discover and perceive more and more clearly that, while surviving, somewhere along the way they lost themselves.
I’m working in parallel on my new book of poems, which ought to be published in the current year. Time for writing and work on the aforementioned books would be precious to me, and thereby motivated, I’m applying to your residential program.
Furthermore, I would benefit from this kind of residential program through visits to cultural institutions in Vienna by expanding my knowledge about the work of cultural institutions and apply the acquired knowledge at the institution I work for as a cultural program organizer.

As part of my stay at the residency program '' Artists-in-Residence '' I worked on the my novel entitled "Shortage" and the new  book of poems. The novel problematizes the impact of politics on intimacy, the impact of history on human lives, and it examines the possibility or the impossibility of art to break through the skin-deep layers of a mimic life and offer some sort of consolatory redemption for an individual stuck in the obscurity of local reality and illusory possibility of choice. The novel follows two generations of one family, who thanks to different circumstances in which they grew up (socialistic and transitional) see the world and their place in it in different ways. Both possess a distinctive shortage, in which all their aspirations, endeavors and a sense of losing something important merge, all which transfers from one generation to another, making the same feeling of shortage the tightest link inside the family. While constantly attempting “just to survive”, they discover and perceive more and more clearly that, while surviving, somewhere along the way they lost themselves.
During my stay as part of the program I held a lecture entitled:  How and why write? And what's the point?  I had the opportunity to present my literary work and thinking on this subject to Viennese audience. Sharing experiences and dialogue with the audience were great and interesting. The interpreter was Masa Dabić which excellent translations allow for such a good communication with the audience.
I visited many museums and cultural institutions in Vienna and I was especially interested in their programs and exhibitions because my job in library  is organization  of cultural events. This experience have been very helpful, as well as meetings with various artists.