Ulay, whose real name is Frank Uwe Laysiepen, is considered a pioneer of body art, performance and polaroid art. He is best known for his work with Marina Abramović on what are now iconic performances.

Running until 8 February, the exhibition features photographs, drawings, dairy notes and sound which refer to his well-known projects, but which themselves are only rarely exhibited and thus little known to the public.

Dubbed I Other, the display showcases Ulay's major works in which the artist focuses on his own body and its social alienation, while it also engages the visitor in dialogue through presentations of his relationship with fellow human beings.

The show was curated by Alenka Gregorič and Tevž Logar, who have sought to give the visitors the broadest possible insight into the creativity of an artist whose work is not restricted to a single medium or form.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the launch, Gregorič said that the show covered the greater part of Ulay's artistic practice, from the early 1970s to 2000. His oeuvre is extensive, but only now has he decided to put on show his intimate pieces, Logar added.

Ulay, who will give a 30-minute performance at tonight's opening, said that he had only rarely shown his work to the public, but that half a year ago he had decided to "open Pandora's box".

He said that he had made Ljubljana his home and that after seven years living in the city he thought time had come to give the city something back.