Dostatočne ďaleko / Far Enough

We all know Drosophila melanogaster. A flock of randomly flying tiny “wine flies” suddenly appears seemingly “out of nowhere” next to a forgotten piece of fruit, sweet beverages or alcohol. They are among us, but at the same time they are so inconspicuous as if they were not even here. Until they fly into our cup or tickle our nose, we barely remember their existence. Even though most of us feel the need to get rid of them instantaneously, due to their undemanding nature and genetic properties, this two-wing insect is very useful and even popular as laboratory species as it can be used as a model organism in various scientific research studies (including human diseases).

Andrea Rošková’s creative program keeps returning to a recurring theme of man and his place and role within society. She is sincerely interested in various social, personal and intimate matters, but also the feelings and frustrations of an individual in social environment.
She explores the borders between his actions, place within the system and his comfort zone. His need of feeling both useful and invisible at the same time. Beinga part of something while simultaneously staying hidden. How far is “far enough”? How distant can we be and still remain unspotted, but also active in a manner that would not make us step outside of our comfort zone? Not being visible, enjoying our presence somewhere without the feeling of responsibility. Awkwardness. 

A part of the exhibition is conceived as a performance inspired by drosophilas’ life in scientific environment where they are mostly kept in closed glass containers. The artist herself used to keep these drosophilas, she observed them, their interactions, behaviour and life cycles. The dance and drawing performance depicts lives of different people living as a part of a single system for which they have been selected randomly, simply by being born. She captures the entire life cycle of these persons/flies – from egg to larva to pupa to adult and to their death. 

Drawings, paintings, sketches, notes, texts and fragments installed alongside the staircase are based on the feelings and life of Juraj, a disabled person the artist regularly talks to, but also on her own feelings and the environment that forms them.

The haptic and sensory installation captures a combination of perceptions we are all familiar with, but might feel confusing. Unstable flooring, humidity, heavy scent, bathroom drapes; trees which are no longer trees, tiles which are no longer tiles, a lawn which is no longer a lawn. The visitor might feel confused about their whereabouts – are they inside, outside, or in their own personal “interior of interiors”?