Human Animal III. / Buzz off, bug!

Authors: Blažej Baláž, Igor Benca, Erik Binder, Miloš Boďa, Marek Brincko, Lenka Cisárová, Andrea Čepiššáková, Jiří Černický (CZ), Andrej Dúbravský, Vlado Eliáš, Bohdan Hostiňák, Kristóf Lázár (HU), Milan Mikuláštík (CZ) & Jan Nálevka (CZ), Juliana Mrvová, Monika Pascoe Mikyšková, Emil Sedlák, Jozef Suchoža, Kristýna Španihelová (CZ), Paulina Tarara (PL), Ján Triaška (RS), Peter Valiska-Timečko, Miro Trubač, Edita Vološčuková

The exhibition presents works by 24 artists from 5 countries (CZ, HU, PL, RS, SK) which reflect upon the ambivalent relationship between mankind and insects within a framework of psychological, mythological and environmental associations. The project, which is part of the Themes cycle of exhibitions, is supported by public funding from the Slovak Arts Council.

The international exhibition project builds upon the animal-themed shows of the preceding two years, Human Animal I. / Next of Kin: Ape – Dog – Cat (2021) and Human Animal II. / The Wolves Are Full, the Sheep Are Safe, the Pigs Are Laughing (2022). The title of the exhibition, Buzz Off, Bug! draws attention to our ambivalent, overwhelmingly negative attitude to insects but also warns us of the consequences of such an approach – the loss (or even disappearance) of insects from the natural environment. Insects both fascinate and repel us; they are a symbol of death and decomposition, but also of rebirth.

Insects are the most diverse group of creatures on our planet. To date, more than a million different species have been identified, representing more than half of all living organisms. Metamorphosis is a typical phenomenon in the majority of insect species – a fundamental transformation of the body structure, a developmental transition from one stage to another. In Franz Kafka’s famous 1915 short story The Metamorphosis (Die Verwandlung), the main character Gregor is transformed overnight into an enormous beetle. His situation suggests his sense of his own inferiority and alienation from his family and the wider world. The repulsive image of his body climbing across the filthy walls of his small room becomes a symbol of his (psychological) decomposition. Insects are often associated with death and decay; Baroque paintings often feature depictions of flies as a reference to the concept of “memento mori”. This is in sharp contrast to the idea of the butterfly, often seen as a symbol of rebirth and the soul. Taoist parables tell us the story of the philosopher who dreamt that he was a butterfly. When he awoke from the dream, he asked himself whether he was a man who was dreaming of being a butterfly or whether he was really a butterfly who was dreaming of being a man…

The selection of works in various media ranging from paintings and sculptures to video installations forms a fascinating dialogue of interpretations and associations relating to insects. The exhibition presents a broad overview of these creatures with whom we have a love-hate relationship, examining not only their visual representation but also playing with the idea of the fragility of their bodies within their outer shells.