Kopin Katalin: Idővonal. Szentendrei Képtár, 2013. június 13 - augusztus 31. - MűvészetMalom kiadványai 6. (Szentendre, 2014)
Time can also be interpreted as a concept of relation, referring to relations between events. In contrast with absolute time, the passing of relative time is always correlated to something (a given moment, a period), and it is connected with a determined point of reference. Our time perception might get into a kind of vacuum, as if we were in a time frame out of time. Time stops, freezes around us, therefore we cannot feel the change and progress in time. The photo reports by Róbert Bácsi guide the spectators to landscapes where, compared to the accelerated time that can be perceived in Western Europe, no social or economic change or development can be felt for social and geopolitical reasons. His exhibited photo series ’Transnistria’ provides insight into the everyday life of the Moldavian Republic along the Dniester, where people people still live in the Soviet past, accepting it as a life-space-time coordinate. ’Transnistria’ is a narrow area of land east of the river Dniester which became separated from Moldova after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The territory managed to proclaim its independence with support of Russia on 2 September 1990. Officially, it belongs to Moldova, and no country in the world recognises its independence. Public administration was reorganised in line with the Soviet model, Soviet symbols were still being used, the use of the Latin alphabet was banned, and Igor Smirnov, a Russian man was appointed to run the local government. ’Transnistria’ became an unrecognised country with unrecognised borders and government. Its fate is insecure even after 22 years. As Róbert Bácsi writes about the scene of his photos: ’Time has stopped here, and will not stir a foot.’ The photos entitled ’Past Perfect’ by András Weszelits reflect a stiffened moment, which symbolises a period of life, and can be interpreted as the finishing of the past, as well. As an employee of the press department of the Szentendre Fire Brigade, he mainly deals with taking photos of cases of damage, which renders his works unique. Besides documentary photos, some artistic series are born, going beyond the scope of mere spectacle. The interior covered with black sooth on the linear timeline of the present continuous conveys the message of the past as a kind of memento or frozen time essence. Tamás Medveczki, who is a mechanical engineer by profession and the founder of the website SzentendreiFotók, has been engaged in photography for 10 years. His exhibited photos were taken during the restoration of the Castle Bazaar of Buda. The photo entitled ’The Restorer’s hand’ places a piece of the past into present context. Preservation of the past is a way of recollection, whereas the two phases of restoration, conservation and reconstruction, constitute a discourse with the past. Works of art are revived by the restorer’s hand, the past is reborn. As a result, continuity and connection of timelines is ensured. His photo ’Reborn’ represents the flight of stairs of the Southern Palace of the Castle Bazaar. The photo, which embraces several layers of time, shows the staircase of the Neo-Renaissance building and the graffiti-covered sheets protecting the stairs, which used to cover the broken windows of the facade, at the same time. By creating an interesting contrast, the elements render the past relative, and place it into a new dimension. 59 RELATIVE ИГРЕ
