Ľuboš Kotlár

About

visual artist / photographer
*1991
based in Prague, CZ / Bratislava, SK

artist's statement

When writing texts for my projects, I have often used reference to the multiplicity of crises we are currently experiencing. The most characteristic feature of the present time is uncertainty, both on a personal and on a societal level. In relation to these facts, my work has long been concerned with concepts of non-normative time and space, emanating primarily from the field of queer theory, as well as general ignorance of the ecological crisis on the part of political representatives, whereby, with an awareness of an uncertain future, we focus our attention on the present moment that is currently happening, in contrast to a clear vision and planning of events that are yet to come. I also refer to liminality, my Roma heritage and, occasionally, a bit of mysticism. These principles manifest themselves in my work mostly through working often in a site/time-specific manner, creating processual installations which i frequently can't fully control, as well as presenting my work in a form of events (instead of static longterm exhibitions), which i like to refer to as "situations". By engaging in various collaborations and creating short-term events and/or installations, that are designed for visitors to share a specific space and spend time together, my aim is to highlight the need of mutual understanding and strengthening social relations. Having background in photography, I have gradually started to experiment with other media, while at the moment I would ascribe my main interest being in multimedia/installation art, which gives me enough space to not limit myself and expand the framework of my artistic practice, while the use of a particular media is always specific for each project.

solo
exhibitions

last summer i have fallen in love madly
(site/time-specific event)
2024
Summer swimming pool Mičurín, Bratislava, SK

something's wrong and i can feel it
2024
Nová Synagóga, Žilina, SK

sugar
within Biennale Matter of Art
(in collaboration with Robert Gabris)
2022
Šaloun Villa, Prague, CZ

nowlessness, act ii: the waves
within OFF Bratislava
2019
Galéria MEDIUM, Bratislava, SK

nowlessness, act i: calm after the storm
(site-specific event)
2018
Undeadarena.com, Bratislava, SK

What we talk about when we talk about Anne Frank
2017
Galéria Nadácie Slovak Press Photo, Bratislava, SK

prettywhenicry
2015
Galéria ŽUMPA, Bratislava, SK

group
exhibitions

Atchin Than
curated by Małgorzata Mirga-Tas
2024
Willa Oksza, Muzeum Tatrzańskie w Zakopanem, Zakopane, PL

Under a Shared Fragile Roof
curated by Miroslava Urbanová
2024
Slovenský institut Praha, Prague, CZ

Looking A – Way
curated by Iva Kovač
2024
tranzit.sk, Bratislava, SK

Y: Survive!
curated by Anna Chrtková and Petr Dlouhý
2023
X10 Theatre, Prague, CZ

SOMEBODIES SOMEWHERES SOMETHINGS
curated by Miroslava Urbanová
2023
Bratislava Castle, Bratislava, SK

Gypsyism, Balkanism - Through a Glass, Darkly
curated by Bratislav Mitrović
2023
ERIAC Serbia, Belgrad, RS

All That We Have in Common
curated by Jovanka Popova
within Manifesta 14
2022
Museum of Contemporary Art, Skopje, MK

Světy Jindřicha Chalupeckého
curated by Tereza Jindrová, Karina Kottová and Tomáš Pospiszyl
2022
The City Gallery of Bratislava, Bratislava, SK

Gimmick
within dsk. collective
curated by Barbora Komárová
2022
Galéria Kolomana Sokola, Liptovský Mikuláš, SK

Roma Resistance and Resilience
curated by Denisa Tomková
2021
ERIAC Berlin, Berlin, DE

Portrait triennale
curated by Miroslava Kubáňová
2021
Liptovská galéria P. M. Bohúňa, Liptovský Mikuláš, SK

Different Worlds 2020
curated by Špela Pipan
2020
Photon - Centre for Contemporary Photography, Ljubljana, SI

Future Perfect Simple Continuous
curated by Gabriela Smetanová
2020
Slovak National Museum, Bratislava, SK

Keres Kultura! Robíme kultúru!
curated by Emília Rigová and Petra Hanáková
2019
Stredoslovenská galéria, Banská Bystrica, SK

Melanch lia
curated by Miroslava Urbanová
2019
Považská galéria umenia, Žilina, SK

BIG SEE Photography 2018
within Month of Design Exhibition
curated by Špela Pipan/Photon - Centre for Contemporary Photography
2018
Zavod Big, Ljubljana, SI

PODKROVIE
curated by Gabriela Smetanová
2018
The City Gallery of Bratislava, Bratislava, SK

residencies & symposiums

Jaw Dikh 2024
Rzepiska, PL
2024

Artak350
Grundarfjörður, IS
2022

MeetFactory
Prague, CZ
2022

Villa Romana
in cooperation with ERIAC
Florence, IT
2021

curatorial
work

nowlessness, act iii: hot in here
(site-specific event co-curated with Erik Vilím)
within OFF Bratislava
2021
fallout shelter under Kunsthalle Bratislava, Bratislava, SK

Smoke & Mirrors
(co-curated with Ema Hesterová, Oksana Hoshko, Barbora Komárová, Miroslava Urbanová)
group exhibition marking the 30th anniversary of foundation of Department of Photography and New Media at Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava
2020
MEDIUM Gallery, Bratislava, SK

Y
(co-curated with Barbora Komárová, Miroslava Urbanová)
group exhibition marking the 70th anniversary of foundation of Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava
2019
Galéria UMELKA, Bratislava, SK

My thoughts have been replaced by Beyoncé lyrics
Leontína Berková, solo exhibition
2019
Phoinix, Bratislava, SK

not to capture an image, to maintain one
within OFF Bratislava
2018
ART BOOKS CAFFEE, Bratislava, SK

work experience

tutor
Commercial Photography
Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava
Bratislava, SK
2021 - 

visual editor, photographer
EVA magazine, EMMA magazine, Madam EVA magazine
News and Media Holding, Bratislava, SK
2018 - 

visual editor
EVA magazine, Madam EVA magazine
Ringier Axel Springer a.s., Bratislava, SK
2017 - 2018

education

master's degree
Photography and New Media
Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava, Bratislava, SK
2016 - 2018

Photography
Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, Jerusalem, ISR
2017 (spring)

bachelor's degree
Photography and New Media
Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava, Bratislava, SK
2012 - 2016

Visual Culture and Contemporary Art
Aalto school of Art Design and Architecture, Helsinki, FI
2014 (autumn)

Photography
School of Design, Bratislava, SK
2010 - 2012