Konstrakta
Констракта
Konstrakta in 2024
Konstrakta in 2024
Background information
Birth nameAna Ignjatović
Also known as
  • Ana Đurić
  • Constructa
Born (1978-10-12) 12 October 1978 (age 45)
Belgrade, SR Serbia, SFR Yugoslavia
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Years active1997–present
Labels

Ana Đurić[a] (née Ignjatović;[b] born 12 October 1978), known professionally as Konstrakta,[c] is a Serbian singer and songwriter.[1] She had risen to prominence as the lead vocalist of the indie pop band Zemlja gruva!, which was founded in 2007, before pursuing her solo career in 2019. She gained more significant recognition by representing Serbia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 with the song "In corpore sano", finishing in fifth place.[2]

Career

2007–2018: Zemlja gruva!

She debuted as a member of the lesser-known electronic group called MistakeMistake in the early 2000s, but gained initial recognition as the lead singer of the Belgrade-based band Zemlja gruva!.[3] Together they released three studio albums: WTF Is Gruveland? (2010), Dino u Zemlji Gruva (2013), which covered songs by Croatian singer Dino Dvornik, and Šta stvarno želiš? (2016). Some of the band's best-known hits include "Najlepše želje" (2010), "Nisam znala da sam ovo htela" (2011), and "Jače manijače" (2013). Zemlja gruva! took part in Beovizija music festival in 2008 and 2009 with "Čudesni svetovi" and "Svejedno mi je", respectively.

2019–2022: Solo beginnings and Eurovision Song Contest

Konstrakta pursued her solo career with the release of the single "Žvake" in June 2019.[3] In March 2020, she released "Neam šamana", inspired by a tabloid article about Emina Jahović seeking help from a shaman to overcome her divorce from Mustafa Sandal.[4]

On 28 February 2022, Konstrakta released her project Triptih (Triptych), a 12-minute music video for three songs – "Nobl" (Noble), "In corpore sano" (In a Healthy Body) and "Mekano" (Soft). The project's concept was created by Konstrakta herself, alongside Ana Rodić and Maja Uzelac, the latter of whom also directed the video. The video and the songs illustrate modern-day life in Serbia, each focusing on a particular aspect.[5]

On 8 February 2022, the song "In corpore sano" was announced as one of the 36 entries for the national selection festival broadcast on Radio Television of Serbia to choose Serbia's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2022.[6] Entering the competition as an underdog, Konstrakta quickly acquired popularity following her performance in the first semi-final on 3 March, where she placed second and thus qualified for the final.[7] In the final, which was held on 5 March, "In corpore sano" won both the jury vote and the public vote, receiving 31.34% of the public votes and therefore winning the competition.[8] Next to the overwhelming support from the Serbian public, Konstrakta also received open praise from numerous regional public figures, such as the likes of Porfirije, Serbian Patriarch, and Novak Djokovic.[9][10][11] She also received praise from fellow musicians and composers such as Tonči Huljić for both her lyrics, music and visuals.[12]

Konstrakta performing in the Second Semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin, Italy.

During the second semi-final of Eurovision, held on 12 May, Konstrakta performed third and qualified to the grand final.[13] It was later revealed that she was the second runner-up of the evening with 237 points.[14] On 14 May, Konstrakta performed second to last in the finale, placing fifth overall with 312 points.[15] On the evening of the final, she won the Artistic Marcel Bezençon Award.[16] She also received an award from the Polish media for the most creative entry.[17]

In late May 2022, Konstrakta performed for the first time after Eurovision at Sea Star Festival in Umag, Croatia to estimated crowd of close to 20,000 people.[18] Subsequently, Konstrakta and Zemlja gruva! became the first local headliners on the main stage of Exit in July 2022.[19]

2023–present

In January 2023, Konstrakta performed alongside the band Koikoi at the Eurosonic Noorderslag music showcase festival in Groningen.[20] On 1 March, Konstrakta premiered "Evo, obećavam!" (Here, I Promise!) during the first semi-final of the Serbian national selection competition for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023.[21] The single was written in an omnibus form, and is split into three parts: "Depresivna sam" (I'm Depressed), "Anksiozan sam" (I'm Anxious) and "Obećaj mi" (Promise Me), dealing with the issues of depression and anxiety. The music video was released the same night, and is separated into three parts corresponding to the song, each of which was directed by a separate director.[22]

On 21 December 2023, she was announced among the participants of Pesma za Evroviziju '24, Serbia's national final for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, with the song "Novo, bolje" (New, Better).[23] After a performance that was self-referential, self-parodying and heavily influenced by the performance of "In corpore sano" from two years before,[24][25] the song qualified for the final where it finished fourth.[26] Inspired by Aleksandar Vučić's slogan "Faster, stronger, better", the song deals with politicians' empty promises of a better future; the performance was the same as the one from two years before as a metaphor for the change that never comes.[27][28]

Personal life

Ignjatović is the daughter of the former minister of information in the government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Slobodan Ignjatović.[29] Her father comes from the village of Glibovac.

She graduated from the Faculty of Architecture, University of Belgrade.[30]

Ignjatović married architect, Milan Đurić in 2009, with whom she has a son named Nikola and a daughter named Lena.[31][30]

In 2020, she was one of the participants in the conference on smoking prevention "Can you hear me?".[32]

Since 2023, Konstrakta has been an ambassador of the Media Initiatives and Partnerships Support program (Nova pismenost), which focuses on improving media and digital literacy. This program is implemented by Propulsion together with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Artistry

Serbian journalist and music critic Petar "Peca" Popović attributed the singer's success to her "originality and literacy", which he saw to be "in collision" with all the pop, folk and turbo-folk music widespread in Serbia and the ex-Yugoslav region. He saw Konstrakta as rising above the existing genres and "offering a different universe" in 2022. Her music was seen as a "representation of the world, the ground, the climate, art and culture to which she and many people belong to".[33] Gorčin Stojanović, the art director of the Yugoslav Drama Theatre, commented "in the socio-political turmoil which is present for decades in the region, Ana Đurić is the embodiment of the metropolis".[33] A member of the Eurovision panel described her as "musically interesting, weirdish, untypically Eurovision-like".[33]

Đurić possesses the vocal range of a contralto.

Influence and legacy

The lyrics of "In corpore sano" became widely referenced by the public on social media and used in various parodies, sketches and reworks due to its "memeability and virability".[33] She was also supported by people from many different political parties, including liberals and nationalists. Konstrakta herself revealed that she was "scared of the lack of negative criticism of what she does".[33]

Furthermore, shortly after achieving the "pop stardom" status many soap and shampoo companies offered the singer deals to promote their products.[33] Konstrakta received the honorary "Award for Architectural Event of the Year" from the Association of Belgrade Architects in July 2022.[34] Serbian magazine Nedeljnik declared Konstrakta the person of the year 2022.[35]

Discography

Konstrakta discography
Compilation albums1
EPs1
Singles9

Compilation albums

Title Details
Biti zdrava[36]
(with Zemlja gruva!)

Extended plays

Title Details
Triptih[37]
  • Released: 23 June 2023
  • Label: Gruvlend!, Virgin
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

Singles

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
SRB
[38] 		CRO
Billb.
[39] 		GRE
[40] 		ISL
[41] 		LTU
[42] 		NLD
Tip
[43] 		SWE
[44]
"Žvake" 2019 — — — — — — — Biti zdrava
"Neam šamana" 2020 — — — — — — —
"In corpore sano" 2022 1 1 80 15 11 19 63 Triptih and Biti zdrava
"Mekano" — — — — — — —
"Nobl" — — — — — — —
"Evo, obećavam!" 2023 — — — — — — — Biti zdrava
"Put"
(with Magnifico) 		— — — — — — — Muzika iz filma Čuvari formule
"O, klasje moje"
(with Zemlja gruva!) 		— — — — — — — Muzika iz serije Lektizer
"Novo, bolje" 2024 — — — — — — — Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Awards and nominations

List of awards and nominations of Konstrakta
Year Award Category Nominee/work Result Ref.
2022 Marcel Bezençon Awards The Artistic Award Herself Won [16]
Eurovision Awards Most Innovative Staging Won
Best Lyrics "In corpore sano" Won [45]
Best Choreography Herself Nominated
Ivan Radenković Award Socio-Critical Engagement Triptih Won [46]
2023 Music Awards Ceremony Alternative Pop Song of the Year "In corpore sano" Nominated [47]
Contribution to International Music Herself Won
Golden MAC for Authenticity Won
BeFem Awards Feminist Contribution to Pop Culture Won [48]

Notes

  1. ^ Serbian Cyrillic: Ана Ђурић, pronounced [âna dʑǔːritɕ].
  2. ^ Serbian Cyrillic: Игњатовић, pronounced [iɡɲǎːtoʋitɕ].
  3. ^ Serbian Cyrillic: Констракта.

References

  1. ^ Sretenović, Katarina (3 March 2011). "Ana Đurić: Muzika je najbolja terapija". Žena.rs. Archived from the original on 4 March 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  2. ^ "Serbia: Konstrakta will take 'In Corpore Sano' to Italy 🇷🇸". Eurovision.tv. 5 March 2022. Archived from the original on 5 March 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Ko je Konstrakta, reagovanja na pesmu i Triptih…". N1.rs (in Serbian). 6 March 2022. Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  4. ^ Strugar, Stefan (21 March 2020). "Đurić: Tekst o Emini Jahović natjerao na preispitivanje identiteta". Vijesti (in Montenegrin). Archived from the original on 7 March 2022. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  5. ^ Kalaba, Ana (6 March 2022). "Pesma o zdravlju je samo deo Konstraktinog Triptiha – pogledajte ceo video". Nova.rs (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 7 March 2022. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  6. ^ Jovović, Pero (8 February 2022). "Ovo su srpski kandidati za Evroviziju". Nova.rs (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 1 March 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  7. ^ Jovović, Pero (5 March 2022). "Konstrakta prva u trendingu – preokret nekoliko sati pred finale". Nova.rs (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 6 March 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  8. ^ "Konstrakta predstavlja Srbiju na Pesmi Evrovizije". Danas (in Serbian). 6 March 2022. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  9. ^ Gudžulić, M. "Konstrakta ujedinila naše rokere, etno-muzičare, kompozitore, a evo kako stranci pišu o njoj: Lavor u fokusu!". 24sedam.rs (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 22 May 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  10. ^ "Konstrakta poklonila lavor patrijarhu Porfiriju, a on njoj triptih". Danas.rs (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  11. ^ Nastevski, A. (14 May 2022). ""Srbija mora biti zdrava" – nižu se reakcije poznatih ličnosti". Nova.rs (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 15 May 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  12. ^ Velika ispovest Tončija Huljića za Telegraf: Sve o zetu, ćerki, Željku Joksimoviću i Konstrakti [A big confession of Tonči Huljić for Telegraf: Everything about his son-in-law, daughter, Željko Joksimović and Konstrakta] (in Serbian). Telegraf.rs. 21 May 2022. Archived from the original on 7 August 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  13. ^ "Konstrakta prošla u finale Evrovizije: Proglašeno drugih deset finalista". Danas (in Serbian). 12 May 2022. Archived from the original on 12 May 2022. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  14. ^ "Second Semi-Final of Turin 2022". Eurovision.tv. Archived from the original on 29 March 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  15. ^ "Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra wins Eurovision Song Contest 2022!". Eurovision.tv. 14 May 2022. Archived from the original on 15 May 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  16. ^ a b Krkeljić, B. (14 May 2022). "Sat vremena pre finala, Konstrakta dobila još jednu nagradu na Evroviziji". Nova.rs (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 16 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  17. ^ "wiwiblogs on Instagram". Archived from the original on 14 November 2022. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  18. ^ Dedakin, I. (28 May 2022). "Skoro 20 hljada ljudi u Hrvatskoj tapšalo uz Konstraktin hit". Nova.rs (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 29 May 2022. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
  19. ^ "Tijumf Kalvina Harrisa na Tvrđavi! Konstrakta biće prva domaća headlinerka u istoriji Exita". Telegraf.rs (in Serbian). 10 July 2022. Archived from the original on 11 July 2022. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  20. ^ Miletić, U. (12 January 2023). "Koncert na Eurosoniku je izazov: Konstrakta povodom koncerta Zemlja gruva i KOIKOI u Groningenu". Danas (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 2 March 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  21. ^ "Konstrakta predstavila novu pesmu "Evo, obećavam"". Danas (in Serbian). 1 March 2023. Archived from the original on 2 March 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  22. ^ "Konstrakta oduševila zanimljivim singlom i spotom, u samo nekoliko sati izazvao pravo oduševljenje i lavinu reakcija". Dnevnik.hr (in Croatian). 2 March 2022. Archived from the original on 2 March 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  23. ^ "Serbia: 'Pesma za Evroviziju' details announced!". Eurovision.tv. European Broadcasting Union. 21 December 2023. Archived from the original on 26 January 2024. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  24. ^ "'NOVO, BOLJE': Konstrakta ponovo imala zanimljiv nastup na takmičenju u Srbiji za Eurosong (VIDEO)". Slobodna Bosna (in Bosnian). 1 March 2024. Archived from the original on 1 March 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
  25. ^ Petrović, Paula (1 March 2024). "Konstrakta na pozornici mijesila kruh pa prošla u finale: 'Sama na sebe je napravila parodiju!'". 24sata (in Croatian). Archived from the original on 1 March 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
  26. ^ Marín, Marc (1 March 2024). "Pesma za Evroviziju '24: seleccionados los 8 finalistas de la preselección serbia" [Pesma za Evroviziju '24: the eight finalists of the Serbian preselection have been selected]. ESCplus España (in European Spanish). Archived from the original on 29 February 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
  27. ^ Radoš, Marina (3 March 2024). "Breskvica je srce Srbije. Konstrakta uopće nije predstavljala Srbe". Index.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  28. ^ "Twitter je pun komentara o Konstrakti: "Ovo je bio šamar Vučićevoj vlasti"". Index.hr (in Croatian). 1 March 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  29. ^ Mitić, Marija (31 March 2022). "Konstraktin otac je bio politička faca devedesetih: Rođaci otkrivaju sve o porodici umetnice" [Konstrakta's father was the political face of the 90s: Relatives Reveal Everything About the Artist's Family] (in Serbian). 24sedam. Archived from the original on 12 May 2022. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
  30. ^ a b "Ima DVOJE dece, udata je za kolegu: Ovo je muž KONSTRAKTE, srpske predstavnice na ovogodišnjoj Evroviziji". Glossy.rs (in Serbian). 6 March 2022. Archived from the original on 6 March 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  31. ^ Dedakin, Irena (6 March 2022). "Pet stvari koje niste znali o Konstrakti, predstavnici Srbije na Evroviziji". Nova.rs (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 6 March 2022. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  32. ^ "Svetski dan bez duvana biće obeležen online konferencijom o prevenciji pušenja "Da li se čujemo? – Društvo – Dnevni list Danas" (in Serbian). 25 May 2020. Archived from the original on 4 March 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  33. ^ a b c d e f NEDJELJOM U 2: Ana Đurić Konstrakta [Sunday at 2: Ana Đurić Konstrakta] (in Croatian). Hrvatska Radiotelevizija. 29 May 2022. Archived from the original on 30 July 2022. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
  34. ^ Nikolić, B. (8 July 2022). "Počasno priznanje: Konstrakta dobila jednu posebnu nagradu" [Honorary: Konstrakta Received a Special Award]. Nova.rs (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 11 July 2022. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  35. ^ Rosić, B. (4 January 2023). "Zašto je Konstrakta ličnost godine". Nedeljnik (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 2 March 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  36. ^ "Biti Zdrava by Konstrakta, Zemlja gruva on Apple Music". Apple Music (US). 10 July 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  37. ^ "Triptih – Single by Konstrakta on Apple Music". Apple Music (US). 23 June 2023. Archived from the original on 26 June 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  38. ^ Peak positions in Serbia:
  39. ^ Peak positions in Croatia:
  40. ^ "Official IFPI Charts, Digital Singles Chart (International), Week 19/2022". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on 15 September 2021. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  41. ^ "Tónlistinn – Lög" [The Music – Songs] (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  42. ^ "2022 20-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. 20 May 2022. Archived from the original on 20 May 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  43. ^ "Dutch Single Tip 21/05/2022". dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 26 October 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  44. ^ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 20". Sverigetopplistan. Archived from the original on 20 May 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
  45. ^ Krkeljić, B. (27 December 2022). "Konstrakta pobedila i Ukrajince: Dobila veliku evrovizijsku nagradu". Nova.rs (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 27 December 2022. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  46. ^ A. L. (6 December 2022). "Konstrakta dobitnica nagrade "Ivan Radenković": Dodela večeras u Novom Sadu". Danas (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 6 December 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  47. ^ Savić, M. (25 January 2023). "Music Awards Ceremony nagradila najbolje: Ovi muzičari su dobili specijalna priznanja". Nova.rs (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 26 January 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  48. ^ Marinović, N. (8 March 2023). "Dodeljene BeFem feminističke nagrade: među nagrađenima i "Devojčice" i Konstrakta!". Zoomer.rs (in Serbian). Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
Awards and achievements Preceded byHurricanewith "Loco loco" Serbia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 Succeeded byLuke Blackwith "Samo mi se spava"

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