Jaro Varga

In most cases, before I proceed to the implementation of my site specific and public art projects, I gather documentation materials and conduct a survey (sociological, historical, topographical, ...) Outputs are then presented in the form of a visual-documentary recording, or a transcript of the recorded, capturing a phenomenon - a certain set of problems - a sociological condition, which I perceive as controversial and I focus my attention on them.
Over the past several years, I have been working on projects to explore the specific historical, geopolitical and sociological connections of Bratislava. One of the projects (entitled THREE ROUTES, 2008) features a walking map of the city centre. The map includes three paths that map the historical development of three nationalisms (German, Hungarian, and Slovakian) - evolving depending on political and social
changes that had substantially disordered the hierarchy in particular ethnic groups’ status and standing within the city. The interest in the topics associated with the city’s identity and the identity of its inhabitants is as well declared in other projects completed in recent years – VERTICAL LABYRINTH (2009), CHANEL DE PETRŽALKA (2009), THE LITTLE BIG CITY (2008), TOURIST ROUTE (2007), THE
SCENE OF CRIME (2006), DANGEROUS SEQUENCES (2007).
As far as a possible sojourn in Vienna is concerned, I see it as a unique opportunity to logically follow from the previous art projects and as-yet-unfinished sketches and studies introducing the idea (in the search for the definition and identity or our geopolitical space and, in the same context, the reflections of continuity or the ever-changing relationships between culture vs. politics, economy, and ideology within our region).
Also, as one interesting thing the phenomenon of harmonious multiculturalism is emerging along with the Austrian-Hungarian Empire heritage’s impact upon the current geopolitical and cultural architecture in Central Europe. During my /possible/ stay in Vienna I also would like to pursue these strategies by personally exploring the Viennese scene, its relationships and possibilities. I believe that Vienna with its art scene and studio in MQ, could provide a strong stimuli and enrichment for my future artistic creation. I would be very happy if you could decide in favor of my application.