I Was at I BA 17...
IBA17 appears simple at first glance, yet reveals itself as a layered and conceptually refined title. It operates as a subtle play on abbreviation and number, while remaining open to interpretation. The title thus functions not only as a label, but as an entry point into the exhibition itself. More compelling than its form, however, is the meaning it carries—one that connects to… (continue with specific interpretation: year, concept, or thematic framework)
IBA17 appears simple at first glance, yet reveals itself as a layered conceptual framework.
Its most immediate interpretation relates to the year of origin—every work in the exhibition was created in 2017. This alone would not be particularly remarkable, were it not for the opportunity to compare these works with those presented by Jan Svoboda just a few months earlier at the House of Arts in Piešťany.
The works exhibited at Michalský dvor were created after that exhibition—and within this short time span, a noticeable shift becomes evident.
While the artist continues to work within an abstract language, his current practice suggests a subtle return to structuring the pictorial space. There is a growing emphasis on division, rhythm, and internal organization of the composition, at times hinting at a distant relationship to representational elements.
This is not a radical transformation, but rather a natural progression—gradual, fluid, yet clearly perceptible.
This is not a return to the point where the artist left figurative and symbolically layered painting. Rather, it represents a shift—an elevation, one might say—akin to a spiral movement of development.
This reading may be subjective, yet the shift is perceptible in the current body of work.
It is further suggested by the broader context of the exhibition. The decision by the artist and organizers to once again donate the proceeds from one of the works to the pediatric hospice Plamienok reflects a growing sensitivity to themes that extend beyond art itself. This gesture can be seen as a subtle yet meaningful footnote to IBA17.
The space of the Michalský dvor Gallery, located below street level, naturally supports a more focused and immersive experience. This physical descent mirrors the conceptual depth of the exhibition.
For both the artist and Atelier Hlavina, this engagement with depth is intrinsic. The viewer ultimately benefits—not only aesthetically, but also on an interpretative level.
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