Opening: 18. 7. 2025, at 6 p.m.
Curator: Zuzana Janečková
Exhibition duration: 19. 6. 2025 – 15. 9. 2025
Botanical Garden of UPJŠ, Mánesova 23, Košice
Drawing on the collections of the East Slovak Gallery (VSG) and the Botanical Garden of UPJŠ, the exhibition titled Botanical Mystery explores new forms of exhibiting and curating by studying the unique exchanges of selected items from both institutions. Artworks are exhibited in the “Anthurium” nursery greenhouse of the Botanical Garden of UPJŠ, while the “Džungľa” exhibition in the East Slovak Gallery showcases a selection of plants. The exchanges which form the basis of the two exhibitions also reveal the priorities which the two organisations share – the emphasis on systematic approaches to their collections, professional conservation, academic and scientific research, rigorous classification, high quality education and providing visitors with meaningful experiences.
The two exhibitions are also linked through the participation of several artists who feature in both shows (Katarína Bajkayová, Andrea Čepiššáková, Lenka Glisníková, Katarína Magid Hládeková, Eva Jaroňová, Matouš Lipus). The concept explores the hypothesis that mutual exchanges benefit institutions due to their potential to disrupt the fixed habits in their internal processes, their approaches to exhibitions and also in the behaviour of their visitors, thereby fostering a broader understanding of culture and nature in terms of their essential and close-knit interconnections. The plants and artworks are literally transplanted and relocated from one environment to another, but this is done in such a way that ensures they can “thrive” under their new conditions. The selection is based entirely on their needs, a novel and distinctive approach to the process of selection in which aesthetics is not seen as the only priority.
These so-called “pioneers”, whether plants or artworks, form a mutual coexistence in the spaces of the greenhouse and the gallery, fostering symbiotic relationships. Each of the two spaces have undergone minor adjustments to ensure that the plants and artworks have everything which they need to thrive. Visitors to both environments can gain a greater understanding of these needs and perceive how they help the exhibited items to flourish. Indeed, the visitors are both active researchers and objects of study; it is not only plants and artworks from the collections which have been exchanged but also the patrons of the two institutions, and the hybrid exhibition spaces offer the viewer new ways of understanding the world.
At the same time, the two exhibitions also operate as independent events; visitors are not required to visit both shows, but new dimensions and aspects will be opened up to them if they choose to do so. We might compare each individual show to an exploration of a single square meter of a biotope; while we can certainly study it in detail and obtain interesting data, were we to expand our research by just a few metres, we could compare our exciting findings, discover something new and gain a more comprehensive understanding. The adventures of research and scholarship are among the most exciting activities which the two institutions undertake, and the main aim of the two exhibitions is thus to carry out a theoretical and practical exploration of different forms and principles of exhibiting, curating, preparing texts and presenting works of art. The results should enable us to broaden academic discourse about fostering connections between related institutions, expanding the exhibition spaces and the mutual diversification of audiences.
Fostering a multilayered dialogue between nature and culture, science and art, and protection and presentation, the project highlights the need to adopt a holistic approach to contemporary environmental issues. It draws attention to the new queer materiality which combines a wide range of organic and inorganic materials, recognising their mutual relationships and hierarchies, the importance of hybridity and the participation of all in the co-creation of life in any type of society. This dialogue and cooperation can serve as a forum for the exchange of knowhow, information, acquisitions, audiences and shared values. The basic idea and concept reflect the parallels between the two worlds and encourage their limitless tangents and mutual benefits. By drawing connections between collections of botanical specimens and works of art, we can identify new perspectives on humanity’s relationship with the natural environment and our responsibility to preserve it for future generations, a key priority of both institutions.
The Botanical Garden of UPJŠ in Košice has been experimenting with the installation of artworks on its premises for the last three years, and this collaboration with the East Slovak Gallery, the most prestigious art institution in the city, demonstrates the commitment to a long-term vision which involves cooperation with artists and cultural actors. Initiated by the Botanical Garden, this experiment in cooperation also highlights the similarities which the two institutions share and their common interest in the conservation and protection of our national heritage – both cultural and natural.
Featured artists and works: Katarína Bajkayová, Andrea Čepiššáková, Daniela Danielis, Andrej Dúbravský, Lenka Glisníková, Katarína Magid Hládeková, Oto Hudec, Eva Jaroňová, Matouš Lipus, Monika Pascoe Mikyšková, Svätopluk Mikyta, Jarmila Mitríková, Tatiana Takáčová, Erik Sikora
Selected works from the collection of the East Slovak Gallery: Miroslav Bonk, Lýdia Čepková, Štefan Hudzík, Ľubomír Jakubčík, Tibor Kavecký, Vojtech Löffler, Július Machaj, Ján Mathé, Marián Polonský, Arpád Račko, Dagmar Rosůlková, Mikuláš Szigeti
Performing at the opening:
Oto Hudec a Erik Sikora
Eva Šušková a Marek Kundlák
The exhibition project consists of three successive exhibitions which will be held consecutively from June to September in both institutions. One of the exhibitions reflects upon the existence of the district of the city of Košice which bears the same name as the show - Džungľa.
Džungľa / 26. 6. 2025 at 6pm / VSG / Alžbetina 22 / group exhibition / 27. 6. - 5. 10. 2025
Botanical Mystery / 18. 7. 2025 at 6pm / Botanical Garden of UPJŠ / group exhibition / 19. 7. - 15. 9. 2025
Veronika Lukášová / Market Forces / 9. 9. 2025 at 6pm / VSG / C / Hlavná 27 / solo exhibition / 10. 9. 2025 - 18. 1. 2026
From 9. 9 to 11. 9. 2025 the Botanical Garden of UPJŠ will host a scientific conference on the theme of Biodiversity in the Plant Kingdom in the Era of Climate Change / Hlavná 27
Acknowledgements:
installation: Adriana Štetiarová, Peter Vrábeľ, Richard Tomory, Dorota Kenderová, Saskia Matejová
graphic design of text and visuals:Jozef Tušan
gallery educator: Petra Filipiaková
PR: Soňa Stano Jambrichová
production: Valér Bakajsa, Viera Ballasch Dandárová, Michal Štofa
consultation at the Botanical Garden of UPJŠ: Pavol Mártonfi, Lenka Mártonfiová, Valéria Kocová, Filip Spanyik, Martin Pizňák, Robert Gregorek
for consultations in the East Slovak Gallery: Dorota Kenderová, Katarína Nádaská, Monika Vanečková, Ján Kovačič
for external consultations: Iveta Gombošová
And too many others to mention!
