Gothic and Baroque art in the Nestex exposition of SNG (source: TASR)
Art had a different function in the past, trying to divert the focus of people’s minds from everyday trivial issues to the more spiritual, elevating matters, or to present the extraordinary grace and embellishments.
People usually view Gothic and Baroque artworks in religious buildings or in the places where they have been created. Thus, it may seem something of a challenge to try to exhibit them in a modern gallery, moreover in a way inviting visitors to get involved and communicate with the works of art, both visually and emotionally.
However, the SNG has undertaken this challenge and on the 1st floor of its Esterházy palace in Bratislava, it presents the paintings, altars and statues from the 14th-18th century exhibited in a special, impressive design and lighting.
It may seem that unlike modern, e.g. conceptual exhibitions, the old art needs no explanation or additional background information. This is not absolutely true for Nestex (Nestála expozícia, or Non-Permanent Exposition), as the selection of works from SNG’s historical collections, as well as the design and work with architecture, space and light, are better clarified and illustrated.
On March 24, all this will be offered – and in English – as both one of the curators, Dušan Buran (the other one being Katarína Chmelinová), and the architects, authors of the visual side of the exposition, Martin Jančok and Aleš Šedivec will lead the Nestex events of the Talking Art series of evenings in the SNG. The lecture will start at 18:00, with a glass of wine and more informal talks are planned for 19:15.
However, the exhibition itself can be enjoyed also outside of this evening, as there are labels and also leaflets in English, accompanying it.
More information on both the lecture and the Nestex exhibition can be found at www.sng.sk.
