how they lived, how they live and how will they live?
Even though the Institute for Contemporary Art deals with archives, engaging with THEY LIVE's project introduced me to a, for me, novel approach in gathering personal histories – through recorded interviews. This method left an inerasable mark on me, breathing new life into the student history I was exploring. Interviews provided a profound understanding of the underlying beliefs and behaviours within the student community, transcending the limitations of "dead" materials like photographs and documents.
In the challenging context of the Covid-19 pandemic, collecting material posed difficulties due to restrictions. We were reaching out to students who were trying to return home and at the same time we were trying to connect with older alumni who were reluctant to alternative methods (recording the interview online). Nevertheless, despite these limitations, we managed to compile material online, and in person (when Covid-19 allowed us to meet each other).
The story of Montenegro's student community begins with the establishment of the University of Montenegro, alongside with the establishment of the first Student Dormitory in Podgorica in 1960. And as the University expanded, so did the need for additional accommodations. From the initial few low-rise buildings, the student dormitory, after the state purchased land for this purpose, grew into a complex where students still reside today. Who lived there and how we learn in more depth from these older generations. Demographic structure was diverse in the first decade, and one of the students (with whom we recorded) Sadija Hodžić said that in her generation there were a lot of students coming from Serbia, like herself. Later we hear from another former student that during the ‘70s and ‘80s University was rich with international student exchange and that Durimotory had a multicultural environment (which is not the case today).
These former students were all part of Yugoslav generations, and while acknowledging system limitations, they portrayed Dormitory and University as open to social communication, fostering a vibrant student community. Examining photographs from that period, I see something that seems like a holistic concept of the student community. Activities such as student workers' initiatives, poetry readings, music evenings, discos, and radio gatherings showcased a sense of unity. Interviewers from that era perceived the campus not only as a link to the world but also as a self-sufficient bubble, transcending class and gender divisions. A particular impression was left on me by Mr. Kujo Novovic, who practically became a star of our archive. Kujo studied for almost ten years and served as the representative of students during what he describes as the golden period of the University. In an interview lasting over two hours, Kujo took us on a stroll through his memories, allowing us to vividly witness not only life in the Podgorica dormitory but also the life of students across the entire region and their interconnected relationships. His photographs and interview shed light on a long-forgotten experience and heritage, and I am glad that today's
students had the opportunity to connect with it thanks to him (Through the project's open archive but also with the exhibition Do I live now as much as THEY: LIVEd then?).
Second part of our archive is the interviews with young students, and these shifted focus to present generations, navigating changed political and social paradigms. A prevailing sentiment of dissatisfaction emerged, centred on the lack of space for student community development. The campus transitioned from a hub of diverse activities to a space primarily for basic student life functions. The fact that we had to approach students directly on a one-on-one basis to explain the events within this project and why it was important for them to participate highlights how neglected this important community is. They are not accustomed to anything interesting and educational happening within the dormitory, so we had to actively engage them to even consider being a part of it. And as if that is not enough the surrounding space of the student dormitory practically disappears as the land around it has been sold to foreign investors who, with their new buildings, have invaded deeply into what could have been the 'student town’.
During the project's duration, we also followed the student protests taking place in Nikšić. This helped me understand the present moment even more. Students were protesting due to the lack of regular heating and hot water in Nikšić’s Dormitory, limited capacities in the student cafeteria, and cold classrooms at the Faculty of Philology and the Faculty of Philosophy. They also believed that the Bologna Declaration was not being implemented adequately. They received a promise that they would enter the next academic year with heated classrooms. An interesting promise for the 21st century University.
In the end, it was more than interesting to listen to older generations and compare their life with what is happening to students today. The contrast between Yugoslav student life and today's, with neoliberalism woven into every aspect, is evident. For better times (at least warm classrooms better times), students will have to overthrow the existing system, so maybe the material we have collected can serve as a good starting point - learning from the past and present to create a better future?
ps. I thank everyone who was part of this project in one way or another, I have learned a lot. May the students thrive!
Milena Pelević, Institute for Contemporary Art, Cetinje