Marko Pogacnik

Marko Pogačnik, born in 1944, is a Slovenian artist and author who graduated from the Academy of Arts in Ljubljana in 1967. He was a founding member of the neo-avantgarde OHO movement. Pogačnik later shifted towards a holistic artistic perspective, developing what he describes as a method of earth healing through the placement of pillars on specific landscape points, a practice he likens to acupuncture.

His career includes designing the official coat of arms for the Republic of Slovenia in 1991. He also co-founded the Lifenet movement in 1998, characterized by scholars as a New Age group. Pogačnik has created numerous public monuments, particularly in the Nova Gorica area, and his work "Hologram of Europe" is featured in Ljubljana. He resides and works in Šempas, Slovenia.

After co-founding the neo-avantgarde OHO group, Marko Pogačnik embraced a holistic vision for his art starting in the 1980s. A significant aspect of this evolution is his claimed development of a method for healing the earth. He conceptualizes this practice as a form of 'lithopuncture,' where pillars are strategically positioned on specific points within the landscape, analogous to acupuncture points on the human body. This approach integrates his artistic practice with a focus on the energetic and spiritual qualities of the natural environment.

Pogačnik's contributions extend beyond his artistic theories to tangible public works. Notably, he designed the official coat of arms for the newly formed Republic of Slovenia in 1991. In later years, the town of Nova Gorica has commissioned several public monuments from him, including a significant piece commemorating the first millennium of the region's mention. His installation "Hologram of Europe," consisting of monuments and birch trees, is a prominent feature in Ljubljana. In 2006, he also joined a movement for justice and development.