Kristian Kožul (www.kristiankozul.com), Zagreb-based artist with a global career, whose work has been shown in galleries and museums in New York, Korea and Finland

Your exhibit “Degenerate, Monstera and Traitors (1573)” is on at Galerija Trotoar through September 6. What inspired it?

The exhibition provides a take on surreal representation of feudal villains in the aftermath of the first battle during the peasant uprising in Croatia and the rebels’ first victory over the oppressive nobility and their henchmen. 

Your top art haunts in the city?

Trotoar gallery of course, alongside the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Meštrovic Pavillion (though it’s under renovation at the moment). Oktogon NMMU, the new space of the National Museum of Modern Art, is a great spot to see work by contemporary artists. 

What do you find most inspiring about June in Zagreb?

Just before the city starts its yearly migration to the seaside, which I remember from my childhood, there is a hysterical outburst of energy and activity, almost like an ultra-loud swan song before the people surrender the city to the conquering army of tourists. It is rich, opulent and pregnant with content. 

Where in the city do you take your favorite people?

Boogie Lab, Plavo Stablo and Drugi Program. All situated within walking distance from the Meštrović Pavillion. I am pretty much in love with that particular neighborhood. 

What do you like about Zagreb in early summer?

Our ability to convince ourselves that we are working hard while sipping coffee on the coffeehouse terraces! And THEN if we persist in our hard work – eventually the sun will set, and the coffee will be replaced by wine and beer, and the day will seamlessly fade into evening, and not until the chill of the early summer night forces us to cease our daily labor will we abandon our work posts and stumble quietly into the summer darkness. In the summer we become magical, wonderful and fearless people.