We cordially invite you to the last guided tour of the exhibition
Ma_Scary
10 July from 17:00
The exhibition will be guided by Patrik Adamec and Petr Nikl
Masks - ritual objects that underline, hide or change identity
of its wearer. Man has most often used them to protect himself or to try to
to interact with that which transcended them - forces of nature, spirits, demons or gods. Their origins lie in ancient history, and although their purpose and form have shifted and changed in meaning over time, they are still part of human everyday life today. The exhibition Ma_scary shares the original masks of natural peoples with those found in the work of contemporary visual artists in a common space. In the second plan, it also opens up themes such as tradition, horror or disguise.
Radek Wohlmuth.
Patrik Adamec / Karíma Al-Mukhtarová / Karel Balcar / Radka Bodzewicz / Eva Fajčíková / Matěj Hrbek / Tomáš Jetela / Jiří Marek / Petr Nikl / Marcela Putnová / Lucie Rosická / Jan Sakař / Sota Sakuma / František Skála / František Antonín Skála / Timo / Jakub Tomáš / Jakub Tytykalo / Jindra Viková / Jan Vytiska / Moemi Yamamoto
WE ASKED ALL THE ARTISTS WHAT "MASK" MEANS TO THEM, BELOW YOU WILL FIND SOME OF THE ANSWERS:
Patrik Adamec
Social pressure often pushes us into uncomfortable situations and spaces. To avoid collapsing under this pressure, we adopt various roles. Remembering all these roles can leave us feeling overwhelmed, like a search balloon about to burst.
(Who are we?)
Petr Nikl:
To me, the mask transcends mere pretense, disguise, or superficial alteration of the face. It
represents an opportunity for reincarnation, a catalyst for deeper self-awareness. Once,
I donned a Victorian paper mask that covered and transformed only the upper half of my
face. I gazed into the mirror until I became accustomed to this altered visage. When
I eventually removed the mask, I was startled by my true appearance. Each of us, even
without a masquerade, harbors multiple facets, and the mask helps illuminate them. Just as
when I manipulate a puppet, guiding and being inspired by it, the mask engages me in
a reciprocal play, intuitively coaxing forth different movements and gestures. It helps me
rediscover myself.
František A. Skála
There are always unfinished masks left in the workshop. I usually give students about a year or so as a grace period to complete them, and if they don’t, I end up finishing them myself. It’s just how it goes. Then I’m left with them either at home or using it to provoke people.
Entrance to the gallery is free.
