He combined sports and art. Resident Željko Beljan revived the playground and made several board games

In Malý Berlín, sport and art sometimes converge. During a three-month residency, we welcomed Željko Beljan, a Croatian artist who creates sports-themed games and reanimates rundown football pitches, among other things. Read our interview to find out more about him and his work.

Why did you decide to apply for the open call in Trnava? What aspects of the open call and this opportunity captured your interest?

I applied for the Trnava residency because it perfectly aligns with my practice. The focus on fine arts and large-scale works, combined with the chance to engage with the local community, resonates with my ongoing exploration of handicraft, sport, and collective experiences. Having previously collaborated with Culture Hub Croatia, I trusted the quality of the residency. Trnava’s vibrant arts scene, strong sports culture, and the support offered by Malý Berlín made this opportunity especially compelling, giving me the space and resources to develop work that is both ambitious and contextually engaged.

Do you integrate sport and art in your work? How, in your opinion, do these two seemingly disparate components coexist?

Yes, sport is one of the recurring themes in my work. I’m interested in amateur, grassroots sports and the communal spirit around them. I combine this with handicraft — woodworking, knotting, and hand-built games. Art and sport coexist in my practice through play: the shared rules, improvisation, physicality, and the social environment that both disciplines create. I don’t approach sport literally, but instead translate its dynamics and emotions into objects and participatory situations.

Which artists inspire you? Whose work do you find particularly interesting?

I’m inspired by artists who blur the boundaries between disciplines — those who work with play, participation, craft, or community engagement. I follow practices that emphasize process over perfection, and works that invite audiences to interact rather than simply observe. I also appreciate artists who work with found materials or who operate on the edge of design, folk tradition, and contemporary art.

Tell us more about what you did in Croatia. Do you have your favourite project?

In Croatia I’ve worked on various projects that combine sports, craft, and participatory elements. One ongoing project is 3 Corners = 1 Penalty, where I knot football nets by hand and activate local playgrounds through communal events and matches. I also build handmade wooden games inspired by sports, mostly from repurposed materials. If I had to choose a favourite, I’d say the projects that involve public space and local communities — they tend to create the most meaningful connections.

Your projects often aim for collaboration and cooperation with the local community. How did your collaboration with the people of Trnava proceed?

It happened very naturally. While knotting the nets at the concrete pitch, many kids and neighbors stopped by, curious, supportive, and eager to understand what was going on. Despite the language barrier, football provided a universal way to communicate. A local neighbor, David, played a big part by helping with translation and spreading the word. This openness made the collaboration easy and enjoyable.

What was the concept of your project, and were you able to fulfill it?

The concept was to connect craft and sport through a site-specific intervention and a series of handmade games. The football nets were created as both functional objects and artistic gestures, while the wooden games explored playfulness and interaction. Not only was I able to fulfill the concept, the project grew organically thanks to the community’s engagement.

What challenges did you encounter while working on the project?

The main challenge was the language barrier when talking with kids and neighbors, but somehow football always solves that. Sometimes weather conditions slowed down outdoor work, and working with found/reused materials can be unpredictable, but I actually enjoy those limitations, they shape the process.

What did you like the most about Trnava or Slovakia?

I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the city, calm but full of life. The sports culture, especially football, felt very genuine. People were open, curious, and welcoming. And I appreciated the mix of historical architecture and contemporary initiatives happening around the city.

Did you manage to meet with the local art scene? If so, with whom?

Yes, I had the chance to meet the team at Malý Berlín and several local artists and cultural workers through the residency. I also spent time at Kubik community center, where I met people who are actively involved in Trnava’s cultural scene. The exchanges were informal but meaningful, giving me insight into how local artists combine community engagement with creative practice.

Did you get to know the local art? What did you like the most about it?

Yes, I really enjoyed exploring the local art and cultural scene. What stood out most was its openness and sense of community. I attended concerts and events at Kubik, joined Pride in Trnava organized by Status Queer, and experienced the supportive and collaborative environment at Malý Berlín. I also received small gestures of generosity, like Kočo and Alica from Risko Print creating a collector-style football card edition for my open studio, which felt very personal and welcoming. Overall, the combination of professionalism, warmth, and creativity made the local art scene very inspiring.

Did you find a favourite place in Trnava? Perhaps a place that inspired you?

The small concrete football pitch on Andreja Kubinu Street became very special to me. Spending time there while knotting the nets allowed me to observe daily life, meet local people, and understand the rhythm of the neighborhood. It became both a workspace and a source of inspiration.

What are your future artistic plans?

I plan to continue developing projects that merge craft, sport, and participatory practices. I’d like to explore more public spaces and work with communities in different countries. I’ve already applied for another residency in Slovakia, so there’s a chance I’ll return to deepen this connection.

What was your favourite thing about residency in Trnava, and would you recommend it to other artists?

My favourite aspect of the residency was the opportunity to engage with Trnava’s local community. I really appreciated the openness, creativity, and generosity of the people I met, from artists and cultural workers to community members at Kubik and other local spaces. The experience of being part of this vibrant, collaborative environment was inspiring. I would definitely recommend the residency to other artists, especially those interested in working beyond the traditional studio context and connecting with both the city and its people.

Author: Anna Siedykh

Photo: Lívia Martvoňová, Petra K. Adamková