Red Peristyle

The peristyle of Diocletian's Palace.

Crveni Peristil (Red Peristyle) was an urban intervention in Diocletian's Palace in the city of Split, performed on January 11, 1968, when its peristyle (main court) was painted red. The group that created this urban intervention was formed in 1966.^[1] The group had a destructive approach similar to post-urban Duchamp art of the 1960s. A number of other actions were recognized as the work of the same artistic group (Red Peristyle).

This illegal attack on public property was made more controversial by the choice of the color. It was seen as an act of provocation towards communism in the former Yugoslavia. It was also seen as vandalism and was prosecuted by the authorities. Only one art historian, Cvito Fisković, made a statement of defense. Two of the protagonists, Pave Dulčić and Tomo Ćaleta, committed suicide, whereas others (notably two more) did not speak about the event. A myth of the Red Peristyle evolved and created a group of new "anti-heroes".

See also

• Croatian art of the 20th century
• Anti communism-Performing arts

References

External links

• Ana Peraica: Anonymous Artist, Nameless Hero, Unknown History , IN: East Art Map (eds. Irwin, Afterall and MIT Press, London / Los Angeles), pp 163–174