March 15th – May 15th 2024
In preparation for Robert Andacs’ solo exhibition, I find myself thinking of Fernando Pessoa’s “Book of Disquiet”, essentially a collection of thoughts and reflections on life, often introspective in nature and focused heavily on solitude as refuge.
A specific quote springs to mind:
“I close, tired, the shutters on my windows, leaving the world outside, and, for a moment, I gain my freedom. Tomorrow, I’ll be a slave again. However, now, alone, without the need for anyone, with the unique fear of a voice or presence that might interrupt me, I conquer my little freedom, my moments of grandiosity.”
These words capture a profound truth: closing the shutters marks a shift from the outer world to the inner self. Solitude isn’t a prison but a freedom—a chance to step away from the noise of everyday life. In this context, solitude serves as a means to forget and recompose.
Both Andacs’ paintings and Pessoa’s writing delve into this theme of solitude and its almost requisite role in self-reflection. The melancholic hue echoes Pessoa’s exploration of solitude, while the inclusion of symbolic elements adds layers of meaning, urging viewers to compare and reflect on their own experiences. In both artists’ works, there is a sense of narrative potential and a deep exploration of the human condition.
The recurring use of blue in Andacs’ more recent work sets a somber tone that resonates heavily with the aforementioned themes. Blue is often associated with feelings of melancholy and depth, giving balance to the emotional range of his work. The varied symbolic elements depicted in Andacs’ paintings resemble dream-like premonitions of fleeting apparitions, contributing depth and complexity to his artistic pursuit.
The tangled undergrowth shown prominently in his earlier works features an even more sensitive point of view, namely, his depiction of life, death and immortality alongside the concept of existentialism. There is a profound sense of harmony and balance, as the subject is depicted in moments of quiet reflection and meditation, brought to life by the commonality of its surroundings.
In considering the works of Andacs and Pessoa, one cannot overlook the simplicity and ordinary nature of their respective expressions. Andacs’ approach in his paintings of still life mirrors Pessoa’s writing, known for its straightforward form and portrayal of ordinary days and surroundings. Both artists avoid extravagance, opting instead to capture the essence of everyday life without the need for embellishments.
There is a commonly shared commitment to depicting the beauty found in the mundane, emphasizing the significance of ordinary moments and their dependance on simplicity, all the while making a strong argument in favor of dreams underscoring the profound impact they have on shaping our perceptions and aspirations.
“Let us never forget that to dream is to explore ourselves.”
Vernissage
