A sculpture of the academic sculptor Josip Diminić as permanent exhibit in the House of Istrial Olive Oil

The sculpture “Dedication to the olive” by the Academic sculptor Josip Diminić was officially revealed in the House of Istrian Olive Oil on December 20th, 2018. Numerous lovers of art, the cultural heritage, representatives of institutions, of the local and regional self-government, as well as the interested public attended the ceremony held in the modern part of the Museum.

It is an exceptional piece of art in which Diminić talks about his roots and subtly sums up the artist’s long spiritual journey and converts it into a strong human and artistic dedication to tradition. As art historian Gorka Ostojić Cvajner points out, “the olive trunk, its branches and fruits only by association and organic construction indicate the artist’s idea, while the overly gigantic fruits support his playful nature.”

Academic sculptor Josip Diminić, who was born in Labin, addressed the audience and shared part of his memories of his youth and said that he has been connected with olives and its fruits since his early childhood when he was picking olives with his father in the family-owned olive grove.

Director of the House of Istrian Olive Oil, Lorena Boljunčić, also addressed the attendees: “The sculpture as part of the permanent exhibition confirms the commitment of the House of Istrian Olive Oil to excellence and quality. The museum’s idea is to interconnect the history and the present of this thousand-year-old tradition of Istria. The olive tree sculpture that is exhibited in the museum perfectly unites this story through art.”

We would also like to thank the sponsors Erste Bank and Croatia osiguranje, the Pula Tourist Board and the Department of Culture of the Istrian County, who all supported this project.