ON THE ROAD WITH HIISHII.

Published March 2024

MINI unveils one of the most creative adventurer couples of the moment: Katarina Batuta and Uros Visekruna, who go by the artist name ‘HIISHII’–and if you're not familiar with them, you should definitely start paying attention. The Serbians are both professional photographers and videographers, as well as life partners. Alongside their Jack Russell terrier, Paya, the trio explores the world, capturing breathtaking locations and embarking on exciting adventures, narrating compelling stories through their lenses.

What makes MINI and HIISHII a perfect match, you might ask? It's Katarina's and Uros' passion for travel, photography, and, above all, their love for MINI. ‘We're proud members of the MINI family, driven by our serious passion for these cars,’ says Katarina with a smile. ‘Our dedication to the MINI lifestyle has led us to own a fourth MINI, with two more Mini cars in our family.’ This commitment has inspired them to undertake incredible photo and video projects for MINI over the past decade.

We teamed up with HIISHII for an interview, during which the two adventurers shared their very own personal MINI love story–a story that dates back to 2011 when Katarina took part in the creative ‘MINI Locomotion Photo Contest’ and unexpectedly won first place. This led to a collaboration with MINI Serbia, culminating in her participation with her MINI Cooper S Clubman at ‘MINI UNITED’ in 2012 as a travel photographer and vlogger. The rest is history.

MINI AND HIISHII. A PERFECT COMBINATION OF LOVE AND PASSION.

Katarina and Uros, which countries did you travel with your MINI so far?

We’ve been driving across Europe a lot, exploring the entire Balkans, as well as Italy, Germany, Austria, Greece, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Finland, Spain, Macedonia. In addition to our European adventures, we've also ventured to different locations such as Asia, Japan, the Canary Islands, and Iceland.

And which of these was your most memorable trip that you would recommend to every MINI owner in terms of driving fun?

Choosing just one destination is always challenging for us. If you have a passion for driving and road trips, we highly recommend:

Iceland: it's surreal at every turn, offering some of the most scenic drives ever. The landscapes are truly otherworldly.

Dolomites in Italy: driving around these beautiful Italian mountains allows you to experience the famous Dolce Far Niente lifestyle, and the scenery is simply breathtaking.

Lanzarote: the drive through the lava fields is like navigating the moon. The unique landscapes make it an unforgettable road trip experience.

Uros and his dog sitting on rocks in front of a windmill with a MINI Cooper 4 Door parked next to it.

Currently you are driving a MINI Countryman, please tell us a little bit about your car and what you like about it.

Yes, to be more precise, we're driving a MINI Countryman S Untamed Edition—this marks our 4th MINI and our 3rd Countryman. Essentially, we've tried all the models, and this one is precisely what we need. We have a particular fondness for the Countryman due to its spaciousness and agility. Essentially, it allows us to go anywhere–climb the tallest mountains, navigate through forests, or engage in beach activities. It perfectly complements our active lifestyle and adventures, where we often carry a substantial amount of equipment for activities such as freediving, diving, snowboarding, surfing/kitesurfing, mountain biking, stand-up paddleboarding, or simply a multitude of photography equipment for filming, and more. It still embodies that classic Mini vibe that we adore–the design features, driving experience, and more. 

With all their MINI cars combined, HIISHII covered around 300,000 kilometers on various trips.

Speaking of your active lifestyle while being on the road: what makes your MINI the perfect companion for you and why?

We can rely on this car to take us wherever we want. The 4x4 capability has never let us down, even on some challenging routes. Besides its functionality, it's an exceptionally comfortable and attractive car–the ideal balance between a standard vehicle and a larger jeep. Moreover, it's incredibly cool, boasting a range of interior functions that resonate with our creative nature and vibe. We believe it's the perfect car for individuals who appreciate good design, quality, and something that stands out from the rest, especially with a rich tradition and story behind it.

Katarina taking a photo of a foggy landscape through the view of a car window.

HIISHII ABOUT ROAD TRIP TIPS AND THE MINI OF THEIR DREAMS.

Do you have any helpful tips for people who want to go on a road trip with their MINI? What’s the most important things to have in mind?

Sure! Always check that your driver’s license is valid in that country and have all the papers needed. Have a proper insurance and offline maps. Bring a camera and don’t forget to enjoy every moment!

From time to time, you are using different MINI models on your road trips: what do you think about them and what’s your all-time favorite and why?

We normally decide for a model depending on the location we are traveling to. We have a particular fondness for the MINI Cooper S Hatch, as it truly encapsulates the authentic MINI feel–it's the most fun, like driving a go-kart! The same version in a cabriolet is a dream for the summer months. We are hopeful that in the future, this model could become the second car in our family.

Katarina leaning against a parked MINI Countryman ALL4 in a wooded area with her camera in hand.

Speaking about the future. What’s your feelings about the new MINI generation especially regarding MINI’s all-electric cars?

We absolutely adore the new design, especially of the Countryman. It really brings out a modern vibe with loads of cool features, not to mention that huge round OLED display! With its slightly larger size, it now transforms into a serious 4x4 car. We also had the chance to experience MINI electric models, and they are truly perfect for city life. They are fast, incredibly eye-catching and boast quick charging capabilities.

And finally: please describe the brand MINI with three adjectives. 

Creative. Free-spirited. Fun!