HRAŠNÉ 2/3 Painting

AUTHORS PHOTO : LSZ PHOTOGRAPHY CANVAS PAINTINGS : Sarah I. Avni FACE PAINTINGS : Bc. Patrik Rago ETHNOLOGICAL SUPERVISION : Bc. Katarína Chabrečeková MODEL: Barbora Bakošová – model IMAGE TECHNOLOGY : mix of photography and acrylic painting on canvas ABOUT PROJECT “parta” (sg) / “party” (pl): is a type of a fancy headband, the symbol of adult unmarried girls. Being the most important and beautiful component of the wedding costume in the 19th and 20th century, it has always been richly decorated and it was unique in every region of Slovakia . "Parta" become a central element of a unique art project, which aims to revive. Slovak treasures, which are slowly being forgotten. The project goes through numerous artistic spectrums and maps the variety and diversity of almost every extinct “party" and wreaths from all original regions of Slovakia. The artistic duo Ľubomír Sabo & Zuzana Sénášiová in accordance with traditions and ways of ancestors took pictures of only young, single and childless girls. A mean of modern expression is an artistic way of face paintings based on traditional ornaments, and folk costumes to which a specific "parta" belonged. On the pictures we can see beautiful Slovak actresses, singers, presenters, models and businesswomen. The reference of a historical photograph mingles with the current embodiment of art photography, where models put themselves into the feelings of the brides and express them how it used to be back in the past. On the photographs you can watch humbleness and seriousness of the moment which is completed by a modern vision of the photographers. Sources for the preparation of compositions were contemporary sources, which described the seriousness of exceptional moments. Photographs are filled with sense of symbolism and respect for Slovak traditions, while delivering a wide range of emotions and artistic representation that is looking at history through the lens of the modern world, close to the current young generation. Artistically shot photographs are finished by hand-painted ornaments on the face. These photographs are printed on canvas and the painter Sarah I. Avni outstandingly completed the final version of them. With the use of acrylic paintings, the artist created a background of an each photograph that comes from the folk elements of each “parta” from certain villages and regions in Slovakia. The result is a series of an eye-catching paintings that represent abundance and diverse character of Slovak folk heritage. Ideological stratification of the project and attention to every detail show that “Party” in the 21st century project represent a strong artistic and historical legacy. During almost three years of intense and dedicated work, more than hundred people got involved in the project. Very important was a team of ethnologists with their leader Katarína Chabrečeková, who oversaw the use of exactness of “party” and festive wreaths. Thanks to their relevant expertise, they were able to contribute to the reconstruction of four no longer existing “party”. The uniqueness of the project is equally emphasized by originally composed music that combines original, folk music with elements of the current/modern contemporary genres. Limited edition of paintings are produced by mixed technology - artistic photography with acrylic paintings on canvas. Each painting from this limited edition has the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) and will be made only in three dimensions: 60x90cm,80x120cmand120x180cm. ABOUT THIS "PARTA" “Parta” on the painting comes from the village Hrašné and is 86 years old, only brides were allowed to wear it for their wedding. It was made of glass beads, owers from satin ribbons, wreaths – on a wire attached owers – wax and mirrors. Back side of “parta” consisted from “dienko” , which was covered with living rosemary, decorated with a satin ribbon and pearls. At the bottom of the “parta” there were secured hand-painted and embroidered ribbons with a length to the waist. Behind the back and around the forearm the birde-to-be had “pôlka”. Predominant colors on their costumes were green and yellow. “Parta” in the village was stopped to be worn around 1960. Today “partas” are used in the wedding ceremonies around Myjava and in a folk group “Kopaničiar”. Mrs. Anna Michalcová helped to dress the model on this painting.