Today I had time to visit a new exhibition that opened about a week ago. Each exhibition is particular in it's own way, but I came to the conclusion that I need to distinguish between artists that are still among us and those who are part of another world now. The reason lays in the style of their work and we need to judge accordingly.
It's 2025, life has changed a lot and so has art. We don't have to go far, just take the period from the beginning of digitization and internet and you see what I mean. This is why I think we need to have different standards, or at least that's how I see it.
The artist who's work I'm going to show you today passed away around the time the digital era begin, so you can imagine artistic influence on his work was limited, as the times back then permitted, compared to what is available today. But we also have to consider the pressure to fit the social stance, that was mandatory if you wanted to succeed.
The artist's name is András Bordi, who lived between 1905 and 1989. The good thing about the exhibition was that we got to see artworks from private collections, which is a privilege and from the county museum, which again is a privilege, because taking photos in the county museum is prohibited. So today I was feeling like I was given a huge gift.
Portrait Of A Woman (1980)
And this is where the pain started. When I stepped into the room was thrilled to see these paintings, then I noticed the glass cover on the majority of the paintings and my excitement transformed into disappointment and slight anger.
For those of you, who don't have experience with exhibitions, there's a difference between what the human eye sees and how the lens captures the same image. When I took this photo, I saw the reflections, but not as intense as on the photo.
Tree (1972)
Most of the paintings were watercolor on paper. This is not a surprise as watercolor was common, but there was something surprising and I'll tell you when time comes.
It's heartbreaking to see how reflection ruined all my photos. This was a lovely portrait of a girl. I loved the look on her face and the colors the artist chose to use. Now the whole painting looks like a joke.
Mother With a Child
I'm not entirely sure, but it could be his family, his wife and sun.
Yellow Flood
Forest Landscape
These paintings are property of the family. Two lovely landscapes, but if I were to choose, I'd definitely go with the top one. The bottom one is a bit too dark for my taste.
This is the top one. I love those blurred forms and shapes and the colors colors are literally calling my name.
Tarnava Valley
Two more lovely watercolor landscapes of which again, I would choose the top one. Choosing light green and yellow for the bottom was an excellent idea.
Moving Clouds (1974)
If I say I was fighting my anger, that's an understatement. There were so many wonderful paintings and I was struggling to find an angle to take a half decent photo each and every time. This was also a wonderful one, with colors I love and a technique that deserves to be admired, yet, look at it. I was trying to figure out what I would do if I'd had the chance to buy it and hang it on my wall. Would I still use the glass and torture myself with anger each day, seeing the reflections? I understand that these paintings are 50 years old and light and other factors could do a lot of damage, but this ... this is torture.
Another landscape from 1969, featuring a lovely place.
I think I'm going to stop here and hope you could still enjoy these lovely watercolors. Stay tuned as he had some lovely oil paintings as well and after all this torture, it was a relief to look at them and I'm going to share those with you next week.
Let me know if you were able to see anything and can name a favorite.
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The gallery needs polarising filters on their lights. That would cut down on the reflections. Alternatively, the paintings could have been framed behind polarised glass. If you look at the work through polarised sun glasses, you won't see the reflections. Light is magic. :)
The moment a smartphone manufacturer adds an automatic polarising filter into (its optical, not digital) into a camera lens, they'll prevent reflections like these ruining images. :)
Sorry for my fixation on the reflections as opposed to the work and your experience of it!
These galleries are focusing on organizing exhibitions and bring artists to the public, not on making photographers job easier 😎
Sorry for being so direct, but that's the brutal truth.
The reflections are still present (usually) when observing with the eye - but our brains are pretty good filters - still, it is best practice to have lights with such filters to ensure the best observational experience. If only for the Art to to be viewed with the pun - totally intended - in the best light :)
The reflections are still present (usually) when observing with the eye - but our brains are pretty good filters - still, it is best practice to have lights with such filters to ensure the best observational experience. If only for the Art to to be viewed with the pun - totally intended - in the best light :)
The two galleries I'm visiting frequently, are sponsored by the municipality, so you can imagine. I'm glad it's free and there's a new exhibition every two weeks. Lights? Forget it 😂
The local gallery that I'm a member of (and on the committee!) is currently moving premises. I'm making sure the lights are polarised, so it is an important matter to me! :D
Good luck!
Wow. I like Tree and Mother with child the most!
Excellent picks, both.
Reflections definitely ruined a lot the photos here, yes one can still see the painting, but it's not the same as seeing it properly... Too bad because landscapes were interesting
This one is my pick, lovely clouds and the different colors of mountains gives a good effect