VISION / ВИЗИЈА / VISION
"In fire, we find transformation. In dance, we find unity. In art, we find forever."
After twenty-five years of mastering fire as an artistic medium, Igor Josifov presents his most ambitious work: Body of Fire—a monumental 360° fire-reflection mural transforming the Macedonian Embassy in Paris into a living celebration of cultural heritage. Teškoto Oro, Macedonia's ancient circle dance of resilience and joy, rendered in flowing amber flames upon diplomatic walls. Tradition made contemporary. Heritage made eternal.
„Во огнот, наоѓаме трансформација. Во танцот, наоѓаме единство. Во уметноста, наоѓаме вечност."
По дваесет и пет години мајсторство со огнот како уметнички медиум, Игор Јосифов го презентира своето најамбициозно дело: Тело од оган—монументален 360° огно-рефлексен мурал што ја трансформира Македонската амбасада во Париз во живо славење на културното наследство. Тешкото оро, древната македонска кружна игра на издржливост и радост, рендерирана во течни амберни пламени врз дипломатски ѕидови. Традиција направена современа. Наследство направено вечно.
« Dans le feu, nous trouvons la transformation. Dans la danse, nous trouvons l'unité. Dans l'art, nous trouvons l'éternité. »
Après vingt-cinq ans de maîtrise du feu comme médium artistique, Igor Josifov présente son œuvre la plus ambitieuse : Body of Fire—une fresque murale monumentale à réflexion par le feu à 360° qui transforme l'Ambassade de Macédoine à Paris en célébration vivante du patrimoine culturel. Teškoto Oro, l'ancienne danse circulaire macédonienne de résilience et de joie, rendue en flammes d'ambre fluides sur les murs diplomatiques. La tradition rendue contemporaine. Le patrimoine rendu éternel.
Installation view: 'Body of Fire' by Igor Josifov at the Macedonian Embassy in Paris, France. 2026 On view now >
Installation view: 'Body of Fire' by Igor Josifov at the Macedonian Embassy in Paris, France. 2026 On view now >
Installation view: 'Body of Fire' by Igor Josifov at the Macedonian Embassy in Paris, France. 2026 On view now >
Installation view: 'Body of Fire' by Igor Josifov at the Macedonian Embassy in Paris, France. 2026 On view now >
Installation view: 'Body of Fire' by Igor Josifov at the Macedonian Embassy in Paris, France. 2026 On view now >
Installation view: 'Body of Fire' by Igor Josifov at the Macedonian Embassy in Paris, France. 2026 On view now >
BODY OF FIRE - Artist Residency Cité des Arts, Paris, France. November → 26 December 2025
Installation view: 'Body of Fire' by Igor Josifov at the Macedonian Embassy in Paris, France. 2026 On view now >
Installation view: 'Body of Fire' by Igor Josifov at the Macedonian Embassy in Paris, France. 2026 On view now >
THE CIRCLE THAT NEVER BREAKS / КРУГОТ ШТО НИКОГАШ НЕ СЕ ПРЕКИНУВА / LE CERCLE QUI NE SE ROMPT JAMAIS
TEŠKOTO ORO
Imagine entering a room where the walls are alive. Not painted images, but transformed figures transmitted through fire—energy, unity, and identity sealed in glass. The bodies move, the struggle endures, the circle never breaks. This is not an ordinary art installation—it is a prayer, an archive, and a piece of the future in one space.
Body of Fire is not just a project; it is a permanent portal to the Macedonian soul, created through science, art, and spiritual devotion. A mural that speaks for generations, an embassy that becomes a monument, a tradition that becomes the future.
ТЕШКОТО ОРО
Замислете влез во просторија каде ѕидовите живеат. Не прикажани слики, туку трансформирани фигури пренесени во огнот—енергија, единство и идентитет заладени во стаклото. Телата се движат, борбите се држат, кругот не се прекинува. Ова не е обична уметничка инсталација—тоа е молитва, архива и дело од иднината во еден просторија.
Body of Fire не е само проект; тоа е перманентен портал кон македонската душа, создаден преку наука, уметност и духовна посветеност. Мурал што зборува за генерации, амбасада која станува споменик, традиција која станува иднина.
TEŠKOTO ORO
Imaginez entrer dans une pièce où les murs sont vivants. Non pas des images peintes, mais des figures transformées transmises par le feu—énergie, unité et identité scellées dans le verre. Les corps bougent, la lutte perdure, le cercle ne se rompt jamais. Ce n'est pas une installation artistique ordinaire—c'est une prière, une archive et un fragment de l'avenir dans un seul espace.
Body of Fire n'est pas seulement un projet ; c'est un portail permanent vers l'âme macédonienne, créé à travers la science, l'art et la dévotion spirituelle. Une fresque qui parle aux générations, une ambassade qui devient monument, une tradition qui devient avenir.
Concept: 360° Fire-Reflection Mural Encircling the Walls of the Embassy Reception Hall
BODY OF FIRE
Permanent Cultural Installation at the Embassy of the Republic of North Macedonia – Paris
Project Overview
Body of Fire is a permanent artistic installation interpreting the tradition of Teškoto Oro through contemporary artistic language and a unique fire-reflection technique. The project is realized as a 360° mural in the reception hall of the Macedonian Embassy in Paris, aiming to contribute to cultural diplomacy and the long-term cultural presence of the state in a European diplomatic context.
Artistic Concept
12–21 figures in continuous circular formation
Symbolism of unity, continuity, and resilience
Monochromatic palette (amber, sepia, umber)
Museum-quality fire-reflection technique
Duration: Long-term, integrated into the architecture
Artist
Igor Josifov, Visual and Performance Artist
Support the Mural
Fund the Body of Fire: Teskoto Oro at the Macedonian Embassy in Paris.
Концепт: 360° огно-рефлексен мурал што ги опкружува ѕидовите на приемната сала на амбасадата
ТЕЛО ОД ОГАН
Перманентна културна инсталација во Амбасадата на Република Северна Македонија – Париз
Краток опис на проектот
Тело од оган е перманентна уметничка инсталација што ја интерпретира традицијата на Тешкото оро преку современ уметнички јазик и уникатна огно-рефлексна техника. Проектот се реализира како 360° мурал во приемната сала на Амбасадата на Република Северна Македонија во Париз и има за цел да придонесе кон културната дипломатија и долгорочно културно присуство на државата во европски дипломатски контекст.
Уметнички концепт
12–21 фигури во континуирана кружна формација
Симболика на заедништво, континуитет и издржливост
Монохроматска палета (амбер, сепија, умбра)
Огно-рефлексна техника со музејски квалитет
Трајност: Долгорочна, интегрирана во архитектурата
Автор
Игор Јосифов, визуелен и перформанс уметник
Concept : Fresque murale à réflexion par le feu à 360° entourant les murs de la salle de réception de l'ambassade
BODY OF FIRE
Installation culturelle permanente à l'Ambassade de la République de Macédoine du Nord – Paris
Aperçu du projet
Body of Fire est une installation artistique permanente qui interprète la tradition du Teškoto Oro à travers un langage artistique contemporain et une technique unique de réflexion par le feu. Le projet se réalise sous forme de fresque murale à 360° dans la salle de réception de l'Ambassade de la République de Macédoine du Nord à Paris, visant à contribuer à la diplomatie culturelle et à la présence culturelle à long terme de l'État dans un contexte diplomatique européen.
Concept artistique
12–21 figures en formation circulaire continue
Symbolisme d'unité, de continuité et de résilience
Palette monochromatique (ambre, sépia, ombre)
Technique de réflexion par le feu de qualité muséale
Durabilité : Long terme, intégrée à l'architecture
Artiste
Igor Josifov, artiste visuel et performeur
Igor Josifov's recent mural and paintings at the The Bank of Amador, San Francisco, CA Designed by Winston Studios
“Mural of Amadeo Giannini, founder of the Bank of Italy and pioneer of modern banking. Created by Igor Josifov in collaboration with Winston Studios Design, this work is located at the Bank of Amador in San Francisco and honors Giannini’s lasting legacy.”
Design: Winston Studios Art: Igor Josifov 2025 The Bank of Amador, San Francisco, CA
Mural and paintings: Igor Josifov 2025 Design: Winston Studios The Bank of Amador, San Francisco, CA
Art: Igor Josifov 2025 Design: Winston Studios The Bank of Amador, San Francisco, CA
Design: Winston Studios The Bank of Amador, San Francisco, CA
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Igor Josifov is a visual and performance artist with a 25-year international practice using fire as his sole instrument.
His work has been collected by museums, embassy art programs, and private collectors worldwide, and exhibited at the Venice Biennale, Art Institute of Chicago, National Museum of Contemporary Art (Skopje), and museums across the globe. Josifov's signature fire-reflection technique transforms glass, linen, and paper into translucent sculptures and paintings—artworks that capture light where shadow once lived. His performance '2-Dimensional' toured globally from 2009 to 2014, including presentations at the Art Institute of Chicago (opening of Renzo Piano's Modern Wing), Cité de la Mode et du Design (Paris), Onassis Cultural Center (Athens), and Abrons Arts Center (New York). In 2019, he exhibited at Palazzo Mora in Venice, Italy. In 2021, he participated in the VIII International Biennale of Contemporary Art in Tashkent, exhibiting 'Becoming Clear | Crushing Glass' and performing 'Fire Within'.
Most recently, Josifov completed an artistic residency at Cité internationale des arts in Paris (2025), where he developed the Body of Fire exhibition—now on view at the Embassy of the Republic of North Macedonia, Paris.
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS & PERFORMANCES
• Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York (2010) • Venice Biennale, Palazzo Mora, Italy (2019) • Art Institute of Chicago, Illinois (2009) • Onassis Cultural Center, Athens, Greece (2014) • Cité de la Mode et du Design, Paris, France (2010) • National Museum of Contemporary Art, Skopje, North Macedonia (2012) • VIII International Biennale of Contemporary Art, Tashkent, Uzbekistan (2021) • Maraya Art Centre, Sharjah, UAE (2011)
Body of Fire: The Print Collection
Museum-quality signed prints featuring the translucent glass sculptures and selected artworks from Body of Fire at the Macedonian Embassy in Paris.
Installation view: 'Body of Fire' at the Macedonian Embassy in Paris, FranceDecember 2025-March 2026