Museum of Contemporary Art Metelkova (+MSUM)

Maistrova 3
1000 Ljubljana

13–15 October 2026, daily from 10 am to 6 pm.

In the frame of European Days of Conservation-Restoration, Moderna galerija, in collaboration with researchers from E-RIHS.si and GreenHer CoE (IPCHS, UL BF, ZAG, NIC, UL FKKT and NMS), presents an interdisciplinary study of Verticals (1969), an artwork by Slavko Tihec.

As part of heritage science research, we studied Verticals, one of the most important kinetic sculptures in Slovenian and Yugoslav art of the second half of the 20th century. Heritage science is an interdisciplinary field that brings together approaches from the humanities, natural sciences and social sciences to investigate, understand and preserve cultural heritage.

At the turn of the 1960s and 1970s, Slavko Tihec (1928–1993) created his aquamobiles out of a desire to recreate organic movement. His kinetic sculptures, driven by water and electricity, move gently, produce sound and evoke a sense of life and constant transformation. The artwork Verticals consists of four key components: 21 floating elements, water, a basin with an electric pump, and a system of pipes and a cover.

The research focused primarily on examining the material composition of the supporting structures and paint layers, determining the extent of structural damage, and investigating the processes of material degradation resulting from prolonged contact with water.

We employed a multi-analytical approach that included X-ray radiography, computed microtomography, vibrational spectroscopy, and laser ablation coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, among other methods. The research was made possible through collaboration within the Slovenian node of the European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science. The analytical techniques provided non-invasive insight into the internal structure of the floating elements, revealing their method of manufacture, material composition, damage, and the consequences of degradation processes. Micro-samples were also taken for more detailed analyses.

The research findings were complemented by digital visualisations that clearly illustrate the characteristics, internal structure and functioning of the artwork. The research thus brings together knowledge from the fields of cultural heritage, natural sciences and technology, opening up new possibilities for understanding, documenting and preserving contemporary art over the long term.

As part of the presentation, we will also present Slavko Tihec’s reflections on artistic practice, as well as his views on the creation and significance of artworks.

Authors: Simona Škorja¹, Klara Retko²˒³, Maša Kavčič², Lea Legan²˒⁴, Petra Bešlagić², Janez Kosel², Rok Hafner², Lidija Korat Bensa⁵, Rožle Repič⁵, Damjana Omejec⁵, Blaž Slivnik⁶, Špela Pok³, Irena Kralj Cigić³, Miha Humar⁷˒⁸, Jaka Levanič⁷, Martin Šala⁹, Matej Huš²˒⁹, Polonca Ropret²˒⁸

¹ MG, Cankarjeva 15, Ljubljana, Slovenia
² IPCHS, Zvezdarska cesta 1, Ljubljana, Slovenia
³ UL FKKT, Večna pot 113, Ljubljana, Slovenia
⁴ NMS, Prešernova cesta 20, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
⁵ ZAG, Dimičeva ulica 12, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
⁶ NuFrame, Ziherlova ulica 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
⁷ UL BF, Rožna dolina, Cesta VIII/34, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
⁸ UL, GreenHer CoE, Večna pot 113, Ljubljana, Slovenia
⁹ NIC, Hajdrihova ulica 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Acknowledgement: The research was made possible by the Slovenian node of the European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science (infrastructure programme I0-E012 of the Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency).