The world of Otis Laubert’s work touches each of us. It is intimately familiar to us, yet it still manages to surprise. It leads us to unexpected perspectives on the world and the state of things we interact with daily, as well as those that transcend us. In his practice, he utilizes everyday objects (ready-mades), which he collects, categorizes, and gives a new life. By blending the banal and the timeless through the principles of paradox, humor, and visual or word play, he composes visual metaphors and commentaries on the current world. He navigates us toward encrypted secrets as well as our own associations.
In Otis Laubert’s work, we could find a contribution to almost any topic and area of life. Not all of them are well-known, many remain hidden in his Bratislava depository and studio in one. The multi-layered work of this internationally renowned artist cannot be fully encompassed by a single exhibition. However, it offers an insight into selected areas, such as interpretations of works by fellow artists, Japan, mail art, interpreted textiles, music, or maps, which belong to his essential series.
The exhibition can be perceived as an adventurous expedition that reveals something to us while leaving something else shrouded in mystery. It does not follow the chronology of the works’ creation, but rather selected themes that point to the artist’s creative principles. It features previously unexhibited drawings from the 1960s, collages, assemblages, and objects spanning six decades. At times, we might experience a sense of déjà vu, while at other times, we will feel like explorers of new worlds. Through a creative approach close to visual poetry, Otis Laubert proves and conveys what is now also being confirmed on a scientific level – that art has therapeutic potential, and perhaps it could even heal us. – Daniela Čarná
Otis Laubert (* 1946, Valaská) belongs to the generation of artists who entered the alternative art scene in the late 1960s and 1970s. He studied at the School of Applied Arts in Bratislava (1961 – 1965). His first public presentation took place during the 1st Open Studio in Rudolf Sikora’s Bratislava studio on Tehelná 32 (1970). In his studio, he founded the so-called Branch of the Guggenheim Museum, where he organized apartment exhibitions during the normalization period. He participated in the Bratislava Championships in the Shifting of an Artefact initiated by Dezider Tóth (1979 – 1986) and maintained regular contacts with the Czech and Moravian art scenes. His work stems from conceptual foundations, the legacy of Dadaism, Kurt Schwitters, Marcel Duchamp, and Fluxus. He has held dozens of solo exhibitions and participated in key domestic and international projects. In Banská Bystrica, he had a solo exhibition in 1994 (Themes, curated by Alena Vrbanová). He lives and works in Bratislava, where the Otis Laubert Museum existed from 2015 to 2016.
Artist: Otis Laubert Curator: Daniela Čarná Exhibition visual: Palo Snoha Exhibition production: Ivan Žirka Exhibition realization: Norbert Nečada, František Dvořák Promotion and PR: Michael Luzsicza Educational and accompanying programs: Martina Martincová, Zuzana Medzihorská Exhibition opening: April 9, 2026 at 5:00 PM (Thursday) Exhibition duration: April 10 – August 30, 2026 Venue: Bethlen House, Dolná 141/8, Banská Bystrica Free admission to the opening
The Central Slovak Gallery is founded by the Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region. The exhibition is realized with the financial support of the Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region.
