#majasmrekar

[hennekeandreae]

Bandits-Mages 2014 / Maja Smrekar - Ecce Canis / preparation performance @ Jacana Wild Life Studios

[hennekeandreae]

Maja Smrekar - I Hunt Nature and Culture Hunts Me - Rencontres Bandits-Mages 2014

[sabrinassketchblog]

Ars Electronica

In Maja Smrekar’s project HYBRID FAMILY, on the relationship between human and dog and wolf, the term “hybrid art” serves as a double entendre. 

The photo reflects the human-dog-wolf parallels. The dog in the picture almost camouflages into what seems to be her wolf coat. This is very powerful imagery, as it seamlessly ties the three together, and the irony is not lost as she presses the gun she uses to kill wolves, to her hunting dog. Even the composition is methodical her being the highest, the wolf (coat), the dog and then the gun. 

Smrekar’s brightly coloured hair and doglike eyes seem to be the dominating features of the photo. At a glance, it's the first thing you notice and this places the importance on Smrekar herself which is certainly an intentional choice. This makes sense since her artist statement reveals she is alluding to herself as the Greek goddess Artemis. This feels like an interesting insight into the artist’s perception of herself. 

Smrekar’s doctored eyes add depth to the image and are significant because she's showing herself turning into a dog. Meanwhile, we are trying to domesticate the dogs. It could be seen as a commentary on evolution being a non-linear thing. Eyes are often used very symbolically in art, and this could be seen as a physical manifestation of the personality changes she refers to that take place when humans bond with dogs. 

Overall it is an effective use of photography, photoshop, and editing. I think she very successfully conveys the many layers of the dynamics between herself her pet, and her prey. 

’https://www.aec.at/prix/en/gewinner/#hybrid

[gld-kortrijk]

Maja Smrekar, (1978, SI)

Maja Smrekar studeerde aan de Fine Art Academy in Ljubljana en beëindigt binnenkort haar Master in de afdeling Nieuwe Media. Ze richt haar artistieke focus op het cross-mediale. Gedurende de laatste jaren ontwikkelde ze projecten op het domein van de bio-kunst, waarbij ze focust op levende organismen. Met het Hu.MCC- Human Molecular Colonization Capacity - project biedt Smrekar een yoghurt aan dat haar eigen enzymes bevat.

Daarmee refereert ze naar de sciencefictionfilm Soylent Green (1973) waarin thema’s als de overbevolking van de aarde, ecologische rampen en kannibalisme aan bod komen. Stel u voor dat we ons eigen lichaam kunnen inzetten als voedselproducent. Tijdens deze Under The Green Light licht Maja Smrekar haar onderzoek toe. In de namiddag bestaat de mogelijkheid om tijdens een workshop, samen met de kunstenares de Maja Youghurt te maken. Inschrijven vooraf noodzakelijk!

Inschrijven via [email protected] Vermelding UGLD Smrekar 11.01.15 TOEGANG € 6* / reductie € 5* / -26: € 4* *1x betalen = 3 maanden gratis toegang tot The Green Light District