M is for Merlinka – C/O Vienna Magazine

Photo above: Tanasije on the grounds of Merlinka’s former home, recreating the pose from an archival photo of her.

Photo left: Untitled Sculpture, presumed Original Work, attributed to Vjeran Miladinović Merlinka, currently held at the Cultural Center of Belgrad.

Vjeran Merlinka was the first publicly declared trans person in the former Yugoslavia, and as a public figure, she held great significance for the community and culture. During her time in Belgrade, she lived and worked at the Belgrade Planetarium in Kalemegdan. There, she contributed to the Astronomical Society of Serbia, maintained the planetarium and the space around it, and left behind her creative legacy.

„Get Home Safe“, ring-Sculpture by Leonie Holtkamp

Over the years, she built what she called her "concrete nest" in the courtyard of the building, collecting and creating small-format sculptures, as well as small ceramics and ornaments that she collaged onto the walls of her home. On the entrance door are her initials, M.V. She also worked as a sex worker, which she was very vocal about. Throughout her life, she wrote two books and starred in several films, one of which is the autobiographical movie “Marble Ass,” directed by Želimir Žilnik.

Tanasije in his bedroom, dress Jara Dilara Noori

With the fall of Yugoslavia and the rise of nationalism and conservative politics, there was less and less space for queerness in culture and social life, which ultimately led to her murder in 2003—a crime for which no one was ever charged or prosecuted.

A Bullet and a Ring, found together at Merlinka’s former house, currently held at the Cultural Center of Belgrade.

After her murder, her house—and with it, her legacy—was locked up and forgotten. In 2024, following an order to renovate the area, workers began demolishing her home. However, a group of cultural workers, Marija Iva Gocić, Leah Rivka Lapiower, Sara Pantović, Chloé Sassi including me, Pavle Banović, managed to save some of her belongings, including a diary and original sculptures. Through an act of activism, we archived these items and delegated them to the permanent collection of the Cultural Center of Belgrade.

Tanasije in his bedroom, flag „Moj Život (My Life)“ drawing from Merlinka’s notebook, top Nathalie Simone Duran Rodriguez.

The project M is for Merlinka takes the form of an experimental photo series combining documentary, archival and editorial photography all taken by Me at different stages of dealing with Merlinkaʼs heritage. It features styling by Ilija Nestorović and silver casting by Otis Vogl-Ferheim, and modeling and interpreting by Tanasije—a young Belgrade-based queer artist and model. All elements are inspired by Merlinkaʼs legacy and her archive, with the goal of honoring her story and exploring its relevance to contemporary queer culture and the art of a new generation. The location of the photoshoot is in Belgrade, at the place where the now demolished house was, and itʼs sourroundings known as Kalemegdan.

Ruins of Merlinka’s “Concrete Nest” sculpture in her yard.

A back of a damaged photo found in Merlinka’s former home, currently held at the Cultural Center of Belgrade.

As inspiration, we mainly drew from her styling choices found in behind-the-scenes photos from the movie she starred in, showcasing her signature style—heavily influenced by the fashion of the ʼ70s and ʼ80s—as well as materials and their symbolic meanings found in her archive. These include a portrait sculpture, a now-demolished concrete structure in her yard, and a bullet and a ring, both of which belonged to her. These elements evoke ambiguity and queerness as the central motifs of the project—reflected in identity, materials, narratives, and everything connected to the life she led: fearless, self-determined, and beautiful.

“Für Merlinka”, custom made silver object, oxidised Silver Sterling by Otis Vogl-Fernheim, inspired by Merlinkaʼs archive

Tanasije in the yard of Merlinka’s former home, flag drawing from Merlinka’s notebook, skirt Liam Pfefferkorn, top Ilija Nestorović.

A project on the theme of M(OTHER)ING, realized in collaboration with the Applied Photography and Time-Based Media class led by Prof. Maria Ziegelböck at the University of Applied Arts Vienna. Created as part of Yasmina Haddad's MATCH! #4 course.

The interrelationship between photography, fashion, and casting is examined, with a focus on the relationship between photographer and subject—and vice versa. The mother figure is not meant biologically, but is considered through acts of care: m(other)ing is a verb. Mothers mother, fathers mother, girlfriends mother—you can also be the mother of a house! Are you maternal? Or are you mothers? Like queens?*

Funded special project of the Students' Union at the University of Applied Arts Vienna

Photography: Pavle Banović

Photo Assistance: Anastasija Pavić

Styling: Ilja Nestorović

Model: Tanasije

Sculpture: Otis Vogl-Ferheim

Pavle Banović worked and exhibited in spaces in Belgrade (Serbia) including Museum of Contemporary art, Goethe Institute, U10 and Podroom Gallery; P74 and Kresija Gallery in Ljubljana (Slovenia), Künstlerhaus and Queer Museum in Vienna (Austria) as well as Residency Unlimited in New York (USA) and SKC in Novi Sad (Serbia). They recieved the Telekom Srbija award (2018) as well as the IFCA (2020) in Maribor and Mangelos award (2022) awarded by the Center for Contemporary art in Belgrade and The Foundation for Civil Society in New York. They are a member of D.U.O. artist group, and last year’s Futures Photography program, nominated by Organ Vida.

In their work, Pavle explores and tries to reexamine the various forms of existence and action today. Analyzes the relationship between individuals and ideologies and how they can destabilize or change each other. The last few years with a focus on video and photography as contemporary technologies that disrupt and shape our life experiences and vice versa. Pavle works in both fine art and applied mediums.

Ilija Nestorović, originally from Serbia is currently studying fashion design at the University of applied arts in Vienna. His praxis aims to explore intricate emotional experiences and real-life stories through a highly stylised fashion lens.

Otis Vogl-Fernheim (b. 2003, Innsbruck) is both an artist and an aspiring goldsmith. After graduating from the HTL for Graphic and Communication Design in Innsbruck, he has been studying Transmedia Art at the University of Applied Arts Vienna since 2024. His work forms an interplay between craftsmanship, concept, and material, often situated within a socio-critical and political context.

In the piece “Für Merlinka”, he explores contrasts and transformations. The object expresses a personal interpretation of what remains of her life. The work, consisting of two layered, oxidized silver plates, is inspired by Merlinka’s personal notebooks, photographs, and various remains from her belongings.