The project “Story of Benches and People” was created in 2015 under the direction of a project-organisational team composed of Liljana Jarh (team leader), Dika Vranc; MSc, Jože Kos Grabar, Zlatko Fišer, Zora A. Jurič, and Lea Zinauer. The concept is designed in such a way that the project-organisational team invites various artists (architects, sculptors, designers, painters, etc.) to participate by creating a unique artistic bench and donating it to the city of Maribor and its residents. The organisers also engage the owners and managers of specific locations in the city, as well as potential donors or sponsors for the materials and funds needed for the production and placement of the benches.
Each bench is created by a different, established artist, thereby achieving a diversity of artistic styles and contributing to the artistic visual character of the urban environment. The artists connect their work both conceptually and aesthetically to the chosen location, while the unique benches also have practical value. They activate the space, serve as places of content and meaning, and foster social interaction and enhanced connectivity among people.
The benches, under the collective name of the project “Story of Benches and People”, have gradually formed a thematic artistic trail and a city cultural-tourist attraction. Each individual bench is accompanied by a Story, and its unveiling is a distinctive cultural and social event.
The basis of the project “Story of Benches and People” is its non-profit nature, relying on the voluntary or donation-based participation of authors, artists, and the project-organisational team. Financial resources are only needed to cover the costs of materials, implementation, transportation, and installation of the benches.
