Echo (about the power structures in Slovakia)

A4 – Space for Contemporary Culture presents an exhibition of portraits of those who had to leave the leading positions of cultural institutions (Slovak National Gallery, Slovak National Museum, Slovak National Theatre, Slovak National Library, Slovak Mining Museum, BIBIANA, International House of Art for Children) in the current political situation in Slovakia.

Portraits were shot by Zoya Ella Hummelova and Sofia Esther Bencsíková, members of the young generation of visual artists. With the installation “Grassroots, Handles, Flag ” you will be joined by multimedia artist from Hong Kong KitKit Para.

Creators

Sofia Esther Bencsik is an artist working in the field of visual arts, photography and film. She is a high school graduate in photography and is currently studying for a Bachelor’s degree in cinematography at the Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava. Her work spans across different media – from music, installation and photography, to documentary and film. Sofia Esther is characterized by a strong visual aesthetic and a search for ways to express complex themes through imagery. Sofia Esther’s work has been included in several exhibitions and festivals in Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

Zoja Ella Hummelová is a photographer and a student of photographic design at high school. Her work ranges across different areas of photography, focusing on artistic portraits, documentary photography and fashion. In each project, she strives to capture not only the visual form, but also a deeper context and atmosphere. She considers her highlights to be shooting backstage during Paris Fashion Weeks, where she had the opportunity to document the dynamics and unique atmosphere of the fashion industry. Her portrait work, which focuses on capturing personalities from her family, received an honorable mention at the prestigious Slovak Press Photo competition.

Her work aims to convey stories, feelings and details that often escape attention, focusing on authenticity and a sensitive approach to capturing people and moments.

KitKit Para is a Hong Kong-born interdisciplinary artist who received his BA from the University of Guelph, Canada. He currently lives alternately in Prague and Tallinn and is pursuing an MFA at the Estonian Academy of Arts in Tallinn, Estonia. He has exhibited at EKA Gallery (Tallinn, Estonia), Canton-Sardine (Vancouver, Canada), EKKM (Tallinn, Estonia), Centrum Rzezby Polskiej, (Orońsko, Poland), The Biennale de l’Image Possible (Liège, Belgium).

Curatorial team: Celestína Minichová, Martin Toldy, Nina de Gelder, Patricia Batki
Visual: Richard Hronský

The exhibition is open until 26 January 2025.

Supported from public funds by the Slovak Arts Council and the Bratislava City foundation.