Marika Volfová — Temporary Paradises

It seems the main motive that is present throughout Marika Volfová’s artistic, but also personal and political (in this case, personal = political) views is the matter of authenticity. The Temporary Paradises exhibition explores it on the intersection of three basic relations: aid and privilege, the others and us, action and escapism. 

The way she handles these themes reflects her own rich experience she has managed to acquire during her study trips abroad as well as her involvement in activism and personal contact with various alternative lifestyle communities. 

The exhibition includes three formally separated parts. A two-channel video projection takes us to the core of things using a simple metaphor: descending into a well symbolises our journey to the source of life (the general theme of water is also present in other parts of the exhibition) while also reflecting on escapism – an effort to escape our broken society; it is expressed in two different points of view: into and out of the well. The ambient, resonating sound signifies a primordial connection between man and Earth. In the second part, Marika showcases her unique painting style based on the confrontation of large colourful surfaces (bordering with symbolism and abstract art), more expressive ink drawings and a line of characters suggesting a message in an unknown language. The third part presents three video footages shot in a rather documentary manner. However, it is also not a typical documentary, but compared to the previous parts, we move from imaginary and symbolical level into the realm of factual records. The pictures show images of specific communities or individuals pursuing alternative life styles, opposing late capitalism, explaining their ideological backgrounds.