The run down former synagogue of Šamorín, Slovakia was turned into a center for contemporary art in 1996 by Csaba an Suzzan Kiss, hosting mainly site-specific exhibitions with strong affiliation towards cross-sectional inter-cultural corporations.
Italian artist Marco Bernardi created project Interval 2012 specifically for the synagogue. Bernardi was born in Rome in 1969, where he lives and works.
He is known in Italy for his installations, videos and machines that repetitively produce mechanical and cyclical movements.
Pieces in ‘Interval 2012’ stand independently from each other, though they are clearly conversing with each other—not completely isolated, but not completely attached. This positioning allowed the creation of a mutual tension, especially around two noticeable works which are kinetically based. Both follow a constant motion dictated by an intrinsic rhythm- one radial and the other vertical.
A round platter of metal sticks are peacefully driven by the external force of a magnet – stationed above them, influencing the movement of the individual sticks. The sound produced is a reaction to these elements interacting.
Seventeen black cubes move up and down.The cubes are individual elements- different in height and position, but at the end of the electric string holding them in the air they are all connected to the same source of power/energy. (electricity plugged on the wall) Their setting in the space resembles a true congregation with a leader facing front (relating to the actual positions of the prayers in the synagogue) A German made metronome dictates the pace in a somehow remote and observant position, and a geographic map of Europe carved into the floor rubber gives the sense that the artist was trying to draw the EU as a new artificial community lead by Germany.
June 26 – August 20, 2012
Opening: June 26, 7.30 p.m.
Curator: Lýdia Pribišová
Synagogue
At Home Gallery
Mliečnanská 6, 93101 Šamorín
http://www.athomegallery.org/
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