Contemporary art auctioned
THE FOURTH auction of contemporary Slovak art was held in the Design Factory in Bratislava on October 11. The Foundation - Centre for Contemporary Art in cooperation with Sotheby's prepared a collection of works by 62 artists. The list included names well-established on the art scene, such as Vladimír Popovič, Juraj Bartusz, Rudolf Fila and Július Koller, as well as some from the younger generation: Boris Sirka, Ildikó Pálová and Nina Weisslechnerová.
Lesser known artists also caught some attention: Jozef Srna, Igor Ongruš, Juraj Puchovský, Jarmila Džupová and Pavol Čejka. The timelessness, authenticity and in particular exceptional quality of their works attracted the attention of potential buyers. Some of their works fetched almost double the expected auction price, the Sme daily wrote.
The auction's effort to become more diverse by promoting new media and trends was valiant, but not well received by the public. Even works by established names or that had had successes in prestigious competitions did not fair well if they were from cement, plastic or fabric. In fact, the auction confirmed a booming interest in paintings. The work 30 Eggs by Vladimír Popovič fetched Sk83,000. The second most successful work was Home of Darkness by Peter Roller, which sold for Sk79,000.
Jazz festivities keep coming to Bratislava
Hiromi is coming back to Bratislava.
photo: BKIS
ANYONE who couldn't attend an evening of Bratislava Jazz Days (BJD) 2006 doesn't need to be worry. A bunch of great jazz musicians are coming to the Slovak capital in the days ahead.
On October 31, the phenomenal Japanese pianist Hiromi will return to Bratislava about one year after her electrifying performance at last year's BJD. She will play a collage of rock, funk, jazz and punk accompanied by British bassist Tony Grey and Slovak drummer Martin Valihora in Park Kultúry a Oddychu (PKO - Culture and Leisure Park - PKO) at Nábrežie L Svobodu 3. The concert starts at 19:00. Tickets are available at the Bratislava Culture and Information Centre at Klobučnícka street or at www.ticketportal for Sk300.
Hiromi's impetuous, multi-genre musical mayhem was a whirlwind performance that won her trio standing ovations and repeated encores. One visitor summed it up this way: "Now I understand why hurricanes are given women's names".
The Kultúrne Zariadenia Petržalky (KZP) continues to bring personalities from the world jazz scene to Bratislava. On October 30, it will host American-Polish band The Colors with headliners Paul Wertico on drums and bassist Krzysztof Ścieranski. Wertico, who played with prominent guitarist and composer Pat Metheny for 20 years, will group with Ścieranski, who's considered to be the best jazz bassist in Poland, as well as vibraphonist Bernard Maseli and Marek Raduli. The concert takes place in music club Klub za Zrkadlom at Rovniankova 3. Tickets cost Sk160 when bought in advance or Sk200 at the door.
The superb Hungarian jazz Kaltenecker Trio will return to Bratislava after successful appearances at last year's Bratislava Jazz Days and the KZP. Young pianist Zsolt Kaltenecker, bassist Péter Papesch and excellent drummer Gergö Borlai will play original works, in the style of fusion music. The concert takes place at the same place on November 2 at 20:00. Tickets cost Sk150 when bought in advance and Sk190 at the door.
Slovakia Lacks Concert Hall for Top Stars
SLOVAKIA lacks a large-capacity indoor hall suitable for concerts by top music stars, the Pravda daily wrote, citing comments by concert promoters and Culture Minister Marek Maďarič.
The lack of such a facility is the main reason why it is impossible to attract top artists, such as Madonna, The Red Hot Chilli Peppers and U2.
"Neither an indoor hall nor an open-air stadium that would comply with the requirements of such a huge concert is available in Slovakia," Zuzana Habodászová from XL Promotion said.
According to her, a brand new multi-purpose indoor facility with a capacity of around ten thousand would be needed.
Things could change with the planned construction of a new ice-hockey stadium, which should be built by 2011, when Slovakia is due to host the world ice-hockey championships.
Two locations in Bratislava are currently being considered, both in the borough of Petržalka - one between Pristavný and Apollo bridges, and the other near the Starý Most Bridge.
Compiled by Jana Liptáková
