Szabolcs Bozó “Faces Instead of Names” At Almine Rech, Venice
July 14 - September 24, 2023
Almine Rech Gallery recently unveiled an exhibition by Hungarian artist Szabolcs Bozó that is a delightful departure from traditional aesthetics. At first glance, Bozó's work may not immediately captivate with its unconventional forms, but upon closer examination, one cannot help but be drawn into a world of positivity and playfulness that evokes a smile. Bozó's creations are a testament to the ever-evolving nature of existence, mirroring our own transformations as human beings.
What adds depth and dimension to the experience of this exhibition is the brilliant essay by J.J. Charlesworth that accompanies it. Charlesworth's analysis opens our eyes to the thought-provoking psychological world of Bozó's art, inviting us to delve deeper into the interplay of real and imaginary worlds within these vibrant canvases.
Bozó's characters, whether humanoid or entirely otherworldly, exude an infectious positivity that is both heartwarming and intriguing. They seem to exist in a realm where joy reigns supreme, turning their iris-less pupils toward one another with open smiles or expressions of benign anticipation. Even when faced with the faintest hint of unease, this feeling is quickly dispelled by the overwhelming euphoria shared among these creatures.
The inspiration for Bozó's characters draws from his experiences working in a restaurant, particularly his encounters with a 'Henry' vacuum cleaner. These appliances, adorned with cheerful faces, exude a sense of willing companionship. In reality, what we project onto them is a fantasy of presence. Bozó's characters also evoke nostalgia for the animated characters from our childhoods, transcending geographical boundaries and connecting us through a shared visual culture of print and screen.
Bozó's world is populated by a diverse array of creatures drawn from Hungarian folklore, communist-era Hungarian animation, and storybooks, such as Móricz Zsigmond's "The Prince who Wants to Live Forever." Dragons, tigers, pelicans, dogs, roosters, foxes, and elephants burst forth in vibrant colors, creating a joyful cacophony on his canvases. Yet, among these more recognizable beings, Bozó introduces stranger and more fantastical creatures, such as multi-horned and many-eyed beings, centipedes donning blue shoes, and whimsical orange mammals.
In his latest works, Bozó's characters inhabit surreal architectural landscapes that often border on liquid spaces. Scenes like "Night Swim" and "Tugboat Pilots on the Danube" transport viewers to dreamlike settings where happiness knows no bounds, transcending the boundaries of reality. "Fountain Escape" features a group of smiling animals tumbling from an orange pedestal reminiscent of a classical fountain, blurring the line between the ordinary and the surreal.
Bozó's characters represent a fantastical in-between state, mirroring the blurring of distinctions between self and other. This visual exploration of form and formlessness draws parallels to the surrealist tradition, with artists like Asger Jorn, Jean Dubuffet, and Max Ernst. Bozó's recent works embrace a more fluid and impasto technique, incorporating materials like sand to emphasize the texture and materiality of the paint.
In the midst of Bozó's carnivalesque world, viewers may experience a sense of excess and positivity. While his creatures never quite make direct eye contact, the boundary between the happiness of these unreal characters and the real positivity of the canvas is always on the verge of contact but never fully realized.
Szabolcs Bozó's exhibition at Almine Rech Gallery is a celebration of the ever-evolving and boundlessly positive world he creates within his canvases. It invites us to embrace the joy of transformation, blur the lines between the real and imaginary, and revel in the infectious euphoria of his delightful creatures. Bozó's art reminds us that happiness can always be found and it beckons us to explore a world where positivity knows no bounds.
Szabolcs Bozó at Almine Rech, 2023
