IPIHAN #15 Exhibitions and Guided Tours in Jožef Shaft Idrija

If Paradise is Half as Nice IPIHAN #15—an artist residency in Idrija, a UNESCO World Heritage town—is approaching its final stage. Join us for the exhibition opening and guided tours!

IPIHAN is an art project in which an artistic collective uses abandoned spaces for a period of five weeks as a studio, exhibition, and social space. A few weeks ago, IPIHAN arrived in Idrija, in the area surrounding the former Jožef Shaft – part of the historic mercury mine. The Jožef Shaft was the most important shaft for transporting material and miners, connecting all 15 levels and over 700 km of tunnels. It was built in 1786.

Mining in this area began as early as 1490; the mine was closed in the 1980s, and since 2012 has been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Most shafts and mining facilities now function as a museum, but the Jožef Shaft remains untouched to this day.

Join us:

• Friday, August 8 at 18:15 – Opening of the IPIHAN #15 exhibition
• Saturday / Sunday, August 9 & 10, 11:15–18:15 – IPIHAN #15 exhibition
• Saturday / Sunday, August 9 & 10, at 11:15 / 15:15 / 17:15 – Guided tours of IPIHAN #15

Location: Jožef Shaft – Pr' Kajzer, Prešernova 21, Idrija ("Mining Facilities", upper level)

This year’s participating artists: Pim Palsgraaf, Willem Besselink, Regina Kelaita, Guus Vreeburg, Esther Kokmeijer, Maurice Bogaert, Judy van Luyk, Lieve van den Bijgaart, Maruša Štibelj in Anneroos van Veen.

BIEN 2025 and the Municipality of Idrija are local partners of the IPIHAN #15 project.