Oskár Čepan

Ľuboš Kotlár is a visual artist and photographer born in 1991 (Šaľa, Slovakia), currently based in Prague, CZ, and Bratislava, SK. He holds a Master‘s degree in Photography and New Media from the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava (2016-2018), where he also completed his Bachelor‘s degree (2012-2016). His education includes student exchanges at the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem at Photography (2017) and the Aalto School of Art Design and Architecture in Helsinki at Visual Culture and Contemporary Art (2014). He began his formal education in photography at the School of Design in Bratislava (2010-2012). His work has been showcased at various solo exhibitions, including “last summer i have fallen in love madly“ at Summer swimming pool Mičurín, Bratislava, SK; “something‘s wrong and i can feel it“ at Nová Synagóga in Žilina, SK (2024); “sugar“, within the Biennale Matter of Art, at Šaloun Studio in Prague, CZ (2022), in collaboration with Robert Gabris; “nowlessness, act ii: the waves“, within OFF Bratislava, at Galéria MEDIUM in Bratislava, SK (2019); and “nowlessness, act i: calm after the storm“ at Undeadarena.com in Bratislava, SK (2018). He has participated in numerous group exhibitions including “Atchin Than“ at Willa Oksza, Muzeum Tatrzańskie w Zakopanem, Zakopane, PL (2024); “Under a Shared Fragile Roof“ at Slovak Institute in Prague, Prague, CZ (2024); “Looking A – Way“ at tranzit.sk in Bratislava, SK (2024); “Y: Survive!“ at X10 Theatre, Prague, CZ (2023); “Somebodies Somewheres Somethings“ at Bratislava Castle, Bratislava, SK (2023); “Gypsyism, Balkanism - Through a Glass, Darkly“ at ERIAC Serbia, Belgrade, RS (2023); “All That We Have in Common“, within Manifesta 14, at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Skopje, MK (2022); “Světy Jindřicha Chalupeckého“ at The City Gallery of Bratislava, Bratislava, SK (2022); “Roma Resistance and Resilience“ at ERIAC Berlin, Berlin, DE (2021); “Portrait triennale“ at Liptovská galéria P. M. Bohúňa, Liptovský Mikuláš, SK (2021); “Different Worlds 2020“ at Photon - Centre for Contemporary Photography, Ljubljana, SI (2020); “Future Perfect Simple Continuous“ at Slovak National Museum, Bratislava, SK (2020); “Keres Kultura! Robíme kultúru!“ at Stredoslovenská galéria, Banská Bystrica, SK (2019); “Melanch lia“ at Považská galéria umenia, Žilina, SK (2019); “PODKROVIE“ at The City Gallery of Bratislava, Bratislava, SK (2018). He participated in several residencies and symposiums, including Jaw Dikh in Rzepiska, PL (2024); Artak350 in Grundarfjörður, IS (2022); MeetFactory in Prague, CZ (2022) and Villa Romana in Florence, IT, in cooperation with ERIAC, Berlin, DE (2021). He curated number of projects, such as “nowlessness, act iii: hot in here“ with Erik Vilím, within OFF Bratislava, at fallout shelter under Kunsthalle Bratislava (2021), Bratislava, SK; co-curated “Smoke & Mirrors“, marking the 30th anniversary of the Department of Photography and New Media at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava at Galéria MEDIUM, Bratislava, SK (2020); “Y“, marking the 70th anniversary of foundation of Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava, at Galéria UMELKA, Bratislava, SK (2019) and “not to capture an image, to maintain one“, within OFF Bratislava, at ART BOOKS CAFFEE, Bratislava, SK (2018). Since 2021 he works as an assistant at Department of Photography and New Media at Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava.

Statement

When writing accompanying texts for my projects, I often refer multiple crises we are currently experiencing. The most characteristic feature of this period is a pervasive sense of insecurity that manifests itself on both an individual and societal level. This insecurity has become an integral part of everyday life and shapes our experiences and interactions. In response to these realities, my work has long focused on exploring concepts of non-normative time and space, drawing primarily from the field of queer theory. Its strategies allow me to more effectively navigate the complexities of existence in a world where conventional narratives often fail to encompass the diversity of human experience. My artistic practice connects these concepts with a critical examination of the ignorance of the ongoing ecological and humanitarian crises displayed by both political leaders and the general public. At a time when the future seems uncertain and unpredictable, I seek to redirect our attention to the present moment and the experiences taking place within it. This approach is in stark contrast to traditional reproductive futurism, which privileges linear progress and stability. In addition, elements of liminality, my Romani heritage, physicality, and occasionally a bit of mystification often enter my work. These influences manifest themselves in my work mainly through site- and time-specific strategies of making. I often create processual/dynamic installations - which I like to call „performative“ - that incorporate an element of spontaneity and unpredictability, allowing for a dynamic interaction between the artwork and its audience. I sometimes call these artworks „situations“. By actively engaging in various forms of artistic collaborations and creating short-term events and temporary installations, my aim is to create spaces in which the artists and the audience have the opportunity to share specific environments and experiences with each other. Through these encounters I aim to highlight the vital need for mutual understanding and the strengthening of social relationships across the social spectrum. My aim is to create imaginary platforms for the formation of temporary micro-communities, thus creating interpersonal connections that transcend individual experiences.