Centre for Industrial Arts
Industry and mining constituted the foundation of development and progress in the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century. Today, we no longer understand this heritage merely through an economic prism; rather, we increasingly recognise it as an important source of inspiration for art, design, and contemporary creativity. Former industrial facilities that once propelled the development of the surrounding area are thus assuming a new role – becoming spaces for the interpretation of history, memory and identity and a stage for new narratives, where past, present, and future interweave.
The preserved mine spaces at the Slovenian Coal Mining Museum are systematically enriched by a diverse range of cultural and artistic programmes. Industrial art in this country is not merely an ancillary activity but a significant component of the museum’s identity, which originates in a rich mining heritage and links that heritage with contemporary creative practice. The theme of mining provides artists with inspiration to explore history, labour, space and the human condition, while former mine workings and subterranean spaces are becoming venues for exhibitions, installations and other artistic projects that enable visitors to attain a profound and immersive understanding of the industrial past.
This field has been under development at the Slovenian Coal Mining Museum for several years, during which time we have established ourselves as a recognised centre of industrial art in Slovenia that links heritage with creativity and places the local narrative within a broader European and global context. A distinctive feature of our activities is the staging of exhibitions of sculptures and other works of art in an exceptional industrial setting, including an exhibition space situated 160 metres below ground level, which is among the deepest exhibition venues in Slovenia. This unique site offers visitors an unforgettable experience, in which contemporary art is brought to life in direct contact with an authentic mining environment.
By integrating art into the mining environment, heritage is preserved in a vibrant and contemporary manner and visitors are offered a unique experience that transcends the conventional museum presentation.
