WORDS: ADRIAN DE GROOT
PHOTOS: MIA MEDAKOVIC
As we shall see, for artistic folks like Mia and me, this means: 365 new chances for photography, for creativity, for love in action, for any and all amazing projects (like RYL!) that make the world a better and happier place.
And here we have a case of a retroactive new chance, as Mia Medaković Topalović, aka Anima Mundi’s photo exhibit at the Raddison Collection Old Mill runs into January of this new year, so, she actually got an early start. How come?
Well, simply because the opening took place last December 15, right in the middle of last month. The otherwise bare but beautiful warm red brick walls between the beautiful window doors of the lobby of the Raddison were adorned with mostly large size prints of Mia’s favorite photos, retrospectively revisiting exhibitions she has held in the past.
After all, bringing your good and memorable past “back to the future” is a very good idea. Yes, bring your joys, your strengths, what you still love and what you do not need to outgrow in the present, which we like to call the “Forever Now”. Why? Simply because it has “in the now” become a permanent part of your soul. Your art is you, and you are the art. Such bringing provides renewed strength, renewed optimism, renewed confidence and a good dose of healthy self-love. And above all, renewal and expansion of friendships, and all the love that exits between friends.
I was there, and it was truly heartwarming to see Mia busily hugging everyone who was invited with a big heart and big smiles; yes, they were all best friends for sure, but the love expressed was electric and revealed in me a deep longing for it to be so in all cultures among all the peoples of the world.
Although a native of the Netherlands, I lived in the United States for more than forty years and while both the Dutch and the Americans are also generally friendly and warm people, the kind of unique closeknitness (I know this is not an official word, but it is fitting here) I witness here in Serbia reminds me of the African American community in the USA. I believe it is because both here and there, there was a great deal of historical suffering. And hardship brings people together. Not that suffering can be justified as a means to polish hearts like diamonds, but nevertheless, these miseries did have that effect and made hearts shine and sparkle like diamonds. And still do! Yes, there are those that regretfully wallow and get stuck in that suffering and stay in resentment and complaining rather than enter into the liberating power of forgiveness and even gratitude. But that’s stuff for another discussion.
Suffice it to say that of course, needless to say, only if you can turn hardships, suffering, oppression, discrimination, etc. – despite it all – nevertheless into gratitude, you can avoid becoming and staying bitter, resentful or develop a mean attitude, and instead become the beautiful flower blossoming even on top a historical dung heap.
So indeed, the atmosphere was absolutely wonderful, and trying to blend in as a non-Serbian speaking person remains a challenge for me. So, here is one of my 365 chances for 2026: despite my non-talent for languages, learn some more Serbian. And then blend in some more, day by day. And of course, as a photographer myself, take at least one picture every 1/365th of a year.
Now, let’s talk a little about Mia’s photos. I told her that my four favorites are: the bubbles in Amsterdam (well, of course as a Dutchman I say this with a smile on my face, but honestly Mia made me aware that the photo had been taken in Amsterdam, which I didn’t know yet), the columns with the lady, the beach/seascape, and the blue mosque in Abu Dabi, which reminisces Mia’s Blue Exhibit she had a few years ago at The Galleria shopping center in Belgrade. The unique perspective of the dome in Topola’s Mausoleum church also deserves a special mention here.
So, you see, an evening with Mia –a very fitting way to end 2025– turned into a fest of friendship, love for one another, love for the arts, love for what the future will hold. You just never hug a person and that’s the end of it; you always look forward to more encounters, expecting more, more love, more spiritual growth, more joy, more of everything that makes us all happy.
So, let’s fall into the new year of 2026 with all of its great possibilities. Let’s go with gratitude, love, expanding our hearts, our creativity, our health, and our divinely created humanity!
Happy New Year, or even better yet: Happy 365 New Chances!
