Kopin Katalin: Idővonal. Szentendrei Képtár, 2013. június 13 - augusztus 31. - MűvészetMalom kiadványai 6. (Szentendre, 2014)
According to Newton’s axiom, due to its self and nature, absolute time passes steadily, without any external relations, therefore, in other words, it can be called duration. As Newton laid it down many times, the term of absolute space and time is a mere metaphysical hypothesis: As opposed to relative time, absolute time can never be perceived, and no direct empirical evidence supports its existence. However, Marcell Kriván, Balázs Deim and Benedek Regős attempt to make absolute time and space visible. Although their methods are different, they successfully manage to represent the passing of time and compress duration into a single image in their photos. Marcell Kriván experiments with the evasion of the traditional process of taking pictures. His works are characterised by the unusual use of the visual language of photography. His photos evoke the surreal world of photo-finish cameras, which show movement on the new level of space/time. With his experimental way of looking at things, he seeks to explore the relation between human beings and their environment. Since he graduated from university, he has devoted himself to new experiments. Leaving traditional photography almost completely behind, he has created his works from video recordings. All the exhibited photos are based on a 3-5-minute videos shot in frequented squares of Budapest. The everyday elements appearing in these abstract urban prints help the spectator decipher the message of the photos. Balázs Deim observed the most frequented squares and junctions of Budapest through pinhole cameras made of beer cans. In order to follow the given place more accurately, he applied several cameras in every square. By mounting the boxes to high places, such as pylons, flag posts and traffic lamps, he managed to get a better view of the square. After placing black and white photo paper into the cameras, he exposed in intervals lasting 1 -3 months. Due to extremely long exposure, moving living creatures and vehicles are not visible in the photos, only static objects and the relative movement of the Earth and the Sun. The course of the Sun, which is similar to a rainbow, becomes visible in the sky, making the passing of time and days perceptible. Benedek Regős mounts time frames by visiting places based on archive photos or engravings, taking a photo of them again, thus connecting the present to the past. ’I have visited and photographed the very places which have been visited by some famous people according to archived materials. I was interested in the place (even the surface/material) in the most accurate way, as it might have preserved the mark of the given person. These are no-places whose mnemotopic nature lies in the archive photos I referto. They can become memorial places or memory photos. My research was urged by the opportunity to participate in a meeting and experience presence. If I manage to visit the place in the photo and use my imagination, I will be able to get right inside the historical situation due to the almost unchanged features and the ’spirit of the place’ mentioned in the title.’, explains the artist. 29 (The text is based on the synopses written by the artists.)
