Umetnostna galerija Maribor

Forma viva, initially an international sculpture symposium in the 1960s, gradually grew into a continuous sculptors' outdoor creativity in the four areas of Slovenia – in Maribor, Kostanjevica na Krki, Seča pri Portorožu and Ravne na Koroškem. The mission of the project is embodied in its name – encouragement of the principle of free expressions and creation of living, free forms. The symposium grew out of the wish to discover new creative approaches and from the need to connect and exchange artistic practices. Outdoor production of art, in direct contact with the immediate environment, gave a certain freshness to artistic creation, while it offered a possibility for art works thus created to be permanently placed in the public space. Between 1967-1986 sculptors from more than 30 countries created over 300 sculptures in different materials: in Maribor concrete was used, in Kostanjevica na Krki wood, in the Seča natural park stone and in Ravne na Koroškem iron and steel.

The Maribor Forma viva attracted 19 artists – Slovenian sculptors were joined by artists from Japan (4), Italy (2), Poland (1), Serbia (2) and the USA (3). The Maribor symposium focused on the use of concrete and reinforced concrete. By selecting these materials the city symbolically marked its fast growing urban image. Following this idea the sculptures were placed in residential estates, close to schools and other public buildings. With its choice of material and positioning of public sculptures the Maribor symposium emphasised its urban character and modernity. With Forma viva Maribor acquired an interesting outdoor collection of sculptures.