KŠINNÁ 2/3 Painting

AUTHORS PHOTO : LSZ PHOTOGRAPHY CANVAS PAINTINGS : Sarah I. Avni FACE PAINTINGS : Andrea Ľubocká ETHNOLOGICAL SUPERVISION : Mgr. Barbora Gerbelová MODEL Veronika Strapková – singer 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" In the village Kšinná, “parta” was worn from about 1900 until 1980, when modern ares replaced it. Flower decorations were made from ribbons and fabrics of different colors, sewn or wired strung beads were usually used as well. On the sides above ears there are two dominant identical owers made from patterned ribbons (not embroidered). Two embroidered ribbons were also hanging from the sides of “parta” down to the waist. The back of “parta” consisted of colored (pink and blue) ribbons. “Parta” in this Slovak region was worn only to church while engagement ceremony and during a wedding. Currently, this 70 years old, original and historical “parta” from Kšinná is located in the museum of Uhrovec.