How To See Art … 3 (portrait and figure)

Opening of the exhibition: December 4th, 2020 at 10.30 am (Friday)
4. December 2020 – 13. June 2021
Curator
Martina Martincová

7 820 000 000

 This is the approximate population of our planet in 2020. But this number also represents the same number of diverse human stories and characters. Neither of us is identical. We differ from each other by external appearance, character traits, but also by the intensity of experience, empathy and emotional intelligence. In different life situations we can feel different joy, sadness, anger and fear. They are reflected on our face, in gesture, movement, intensity of voice, but also in action and deeds themselves. Some of them can surprise in a second, others we experience in the long term. Being happy, satisfied and well-balanced all our lives is an intriguing idea and a goal for most of us. However, confronting the opposite feelings (such as grief or disharmony) can play an important role for a person, whether in forming a more comprehensive idea of life as such, its shades, but also in a clearer perception of reality.

The educational-presentation exhibition How to See Art … 3 (portrait and figure) carried out in the Central Slovak Gallery works with the topic of man in broader contexts of meaning. This is not a classic curatorial selection of works in an effort to map the development of portraiture and figural creation. Rather, it is a presentation of various thematic areas that are connected with the theme of man and his existence (physiognomy, differences in shape and metamorphosis, woman in the position of girl and mother, feelings and emotions, mask motif, figure and possibilities of its representation), presented in the works of authors from different artistic trends. They encourage and drag the visitor into the creative thought process through active play with the help of various educational and sensory aids. Through various interpretive methods and forms, they aim to find and explore mutual relations and contexts, provide space for their own creativity, confront “otherness”, but also give impetus to think about their own identity, move towards self-reflection, self-evaluation and encourage tolerance towards others.

The exhibition also works with the presented works of visual art as educational tools. Finding suitable methods and forms of work with the current viewer is one of the current challenges for galleries. “Galleries of today” are no longer just collection-creating institutions, institutions used for the presentation of art, but more often and more importantly they hold an educational function with an emphasis on the areas of perception, reception and interpretive recreation of fine arts.

In terms of curatorial selection, the exhibition presents about 60 works by approximately 40 artists. These are mostly older, but also newer acquisitions in the field of painting, drawing, graphics, photography and sculpture, which are part of an extensive gallery collection. The collection of the Central Slovak Gallery, which currently consists of almost 14,000 collection items, has enabled a rich selection of works by authors working from the middle of the 19th century to the present. These are mostly artists with not only regional but also national significance. As part of the professional training for the exhibition, a total of 24 artifacts from 17 authors underwent restoration intervention.

 

The exhibition How To See Art … 3 (portrait and figure) is a continuation of a series of so-called educational exhibitions implemented by the section of gallery pedagogy of the art department of the Central Slovak Gallery, awarded also by the Council of Slovak Art Museums with the White Cube Award – 1st place for the educational project How To See Art … 2 /nature and landscape/ (2019/2020).

 

Martina Martincová

 

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Organizer: Central Slovak Gallery

Exhibition title: How To See Art … 3 (portrait and figure)

Authors represented: Adela Arentová, Igor Benca, Mikuláš Galanda, Viktor Hermély,  Igor Hudcovič, Jozef Kostka, Rudolf Krivoš, Ján Mudroch, Mikuláš Palko, Peter Rónai, Veronika Rónaiová, Dominik Skutecký, Martin Martinček, Ester Šimerová-Martinčeková, Imrich Weiner-Kráľ a iní.

Venue: Bethlen’s House (1st floor), Dolná 8, Banská Bystrica

Opening of the exhibition: December 4th, 2020 at 10.30 am (Friday)

Exhibition duration: December 4th, 2020 – March 28th, 2021

Project concept and exhibition curator: Martina Martincová

Expert cooperation: Michal Patarák, Renáta Pondelíková

Restoration cooperation: Peter Ližbetin, Miroslav Slúka

Graphic visual of the exhibition and design of educational aids: Patrik Ševčík

Concept of the architectural solution of the exhibition and realization: Norbert Nečada

Translation: Zuzana Szabóová

 

 

During the exhibition, we plan to carry out various accompanying events such as guided tours, professional lectures and thematic workshops. At the exhibition, the visitor also has the opportunity to look into the offer of interesting book titles within the book corner.

 

Implemented with the financial support of the Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region.

The exhibition, accompanying activities and the purchase of book titles were supported from public sources by the Slovak Arts Council.

The restoration of 24 works was carried out thanks to the financial support of the Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region. Implemented with the financial support of the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic and the City of Banská Bystrica.

 

The exhibition will last until March 28th, 2021.