Forests and Gardens
The exhibition: May 11st – June 6th
The opening: May 11st at 6 pm
Musical performance by: ZUŠ Horažďovice
Guided tour: Marie Bubeníková, Eva Heyd, Hana Nováková
Opening words: Barbara Benish
Artists: Eva Heyd, Hana Nováková, Marie Bubeníková
Program:
- Music performance by ZUŠ Horažďovice
- Opening words
- Guided tour
- Unveiling of the Recycling statue
- Screening of film „Bag it – is your life too plastic?“
Domesticated gardens were once cultivated for food supplies. This tradition still exists in many cultures, including the Czech Republic. They are a source of delight and beauty, as well as providing subsistence for the family or local region. Galerie Califia supports locally grown food, as compared to imported from distant lands which costs money in transport, distribution and mass production techniques that use toxic chemicals sprayed on the produce. To that end we are organizing a traditional farmer's market at Califia's courtyard every Saturday in the summer.
As our ancient forests are disappearing from the planet, so is our source of oxygen. Destroying the forests erases natural habitats for animals, many of whom are becoming extinct because of the loss of their homes. The build-up of CO2 with the loss of rainfall due to less forests, contributes to global warming of the planet. With our proximity to the šumava forest, just 17 kilometers away, the issues of clean air, transparent foresting practices, and controlled development are very real.
Hana Novakova's project BROUK JAKO UMĚLEC, presents in a humorous and direct approach the controversy around the cutting of the šumava forest. Local photographer MARIE BUBENÍKOVÁ, presents her inspiring photos of the local landscape. Another photo series by EVA HEYD , named TWILIGHT, looks at private and public moments just before evening time, focusing on nature. DANCO ARDELEAN and SAMSON STARLIGHT, two characters, present an entertaining story, "Awakened Nature" about their travels through the forests and cliffs, the nature and their favorite spots. We also welcome students from the Art Academy at Cesky Krumlov to show their work.
Eva Heyd – Twilight
A series of photographs, Twilight, is the latest part of a project that has been gradually evolving over the course of the last five years, roughly since the author moved back to the Czech Republic from living in the United States. The project examines the landscape in the heart of Bohemia in terms of time and the presence of someone who, over the centuries, has continually kept notes. The landscape has changed many times and we are still aware of the transformation of the last layers of all the life that has come before. The changes in the time of day and night or the seasons are just the basic rhythm of organizing present human energy. In retrospect, then, the relationship of the human subject is similar to the region, dependent on a unique and momentary perspective. One of the most important aspects of this project is to highlight the uniqueness and relativity of perception, which consists not only of what we see in reality but also from other images rooted in our memory, which we insert and layer into our own perception. From this aspect then, exist places that are mainly due to one’s past intersections and nodes of energy which can act as beams of high voltage -- bringing focus and condensing feelings and perceptions which are often very contradictory. Within this overall concept, The Twilight Series concentrates on photography taken at dusk or just before night, in the delicate transition of day when everything changes with the fading light, when things and the landscape get a different look: they are much more nebulous, indescribable, immaterial and it seems they take on other, more fantastic meanings. The transition is momentary, as if time stopped and everything existed as it had since the beginning of time; a time of desire and uncertainty, tension and anxiety, excitement and rest, a range of conflicting feelings that open people’s imaginations.
Hana Nováková – Beetle as Artist
„Ideology for its own sake is willing to use almost anything. One notorious example is the Colorado potato beetle, a terror visited on socialist Czechoslovakia by Western powers. Few realize that, similar to politicians, to be delegated to less imagination in the production of propaganda, is what the bark beetle has become. The monstrosity is exaggerated in proportion to how much wood that Šumava wants to cut and quickly sell. The exhibition Beetle as Artist, would like to forgive this ironic revision in the state of affairs and mention that it, to what/who, including the beetle, point out it, that, we consider it to be largely due to our optics, rather than trying to reflect impartially its true nature or essence. We therefore present the beetle through his wood engravings, not lacking specific aesthetic qualities. Beetle as Artist, with only a slight wink, and not much attracted by the hair, is personified as the end of Šumava." (Hana Nováková)
The exhibition, Beetle as Artist, presents a conceptual and documentary installation composed of authentic natural materials (wooden sticks) that were altered by bark beetles, and the results of this classical post-processed, graphic method – woodcuts. At the entrance, viewers will be able to closely examine, with a magnifying glass, “matrix prints” – twigs – that were transformed by bark beetles. The author introduces the concept of appropriation art and the emergence of ‘found’ material. The exhibition has scientific overtones and its unusual installation seeks, with exaggeration, to draw attention to the serious issue of how the ruling political or economic lobbies purport and transform all their rhetoric – except the beetles.
Marie Bubeníková –Available Space
Marie Bubeníková says about her exhibition: "It's an exhibition about the available places in Sušice and also a bit further. vEverywhere it is easy to get a little bit of guidance to learn about Šumava. The fact is that everywhere there is something beautiful. Beautiful views are not only in the mountains on the border, but in the hills, flowers and nearby houses. And for beautiful photography there is no need for expensive equipment. You can shoot anything near you – all you have to do is look around. That’s sort of my motto for every show. "
Invited guests:
Students from St. Anne’s Academy of Art in Český Krumlov
Barbara Benish – Babylon: A Sculpture for Recycling
The unveiling of this sculputre in Horazdovice will launch the spectacular and collaboratvie project, „Ahoj“. This is a unique project in the Czech Republic which brings together the partnership of large and important organizations and efforts including The United Nations Safe Planet Campaign, 5Gyres, Art Dialogue and Museum Kampa. The idea behind the recycling sculpture is to lead people to think about the importance of recycling in society and also to offer the opportunity for the safe displosal of e-waste: old and broken mobile phones and other electronic goods. E-waste contributes to pollution that is irreversable and toxic to the human body. The sculpture will be placed in front of the gallery for the entire month so that residents of Horazdovice and the surrounding area as well as visitors to the region will be able to send their e-waste on the road to recycling.
Bag it – is your life too plastic?
Bag It by New Day Films has been garnering awards at film festivals across the nation. What started as a documentary about plastic bags evolved into a wholesale investigation into plastics and their effect on our waterways, oceans, and even our bodies. Join the Bag It movement and decide for yourself how plastic your life will be.
Califia Farmers’ Market:
Domestic gardens were once cultivated for food supplies. This tradition still exists in many cultures, including the Czech Republic. These gardens, while a source of joy and beauty, also provide subsistence for the family or local region. Galerie Califia supports locally grown food, as compared to that imported from distant lands which costs money in transport, distribution and mass production techniques that use toxic chemicals. To that end we are organizing a traditional Farmers‘ Market in Califia's courtyard to be held every Saturday during the summer months.