Jan Vytiska: The Ritual of Cursed Hearts

July 27, 2023 Razvan Chiorean

exhibition

DOX - Centre for Contemporary Art, first floor exhibition hall

Experience the enigmatic exhibition of "The Ritual of Cursed Hearts," where Jan Vytiska's artistic journey unfolds over the past three years. Though initially familiar, the paintings have undergone a captivating evolution, with Vytiska's unceasing experimentation leading to a metamorphosis of forms. Witness a symphony of changing colors and an expansion of formats that have grown steadily in size. In this exhibition, Vytiska's artistry transcends the boundaries of a singular theme. After transitioning from acrylic to oil paint, his works retain a unique blend of Wallachian folklore and pop culture influences. Rather than a mere rehash of tried-and-tested motifs, Vytiska ingeniously reinterprets and enriches their essence.

Billboard advert poster Jan Vytiska exhibition at DOX - Centre for Contemporary Art

Amidst the canvas, landscapes come alive, featuring majestic mountain ranges and vibrant flowering meadows. These scenic backdrops artfully contrast with the scenes they encircle, drawing the viewer into an enchanting paradox. Vytiska masterfully intertwines various references, infusing his own romantic gestures, and creating an intriguing visual tapestry. Surprisingly, beneath the apparent "noisiness" of Vytiska's recent works lies an eerie sense of serenity. Time stands still within each frame, as if the figures depicted pose for a non-existent photographer, their emotions frozen in a captivating blend of sadness, surprise, and incomprehension.

Within Vytiska's paintings, contrasts reign supreme. Innocent children, predominantly girls, stand face-to-face with monstrous demons, blurring the lines between the realms of exuberant color and folklore embroidery adorning the girls' costumes. The juxtaposition is beguiling, with vegetated corpses exuding an unexpected beauty, mirroring the intricacies of their ornate attire. Adding to the allure of Vytiska's work is a subtle undercurrent of humor, a peculiar exaggeration that both captivates and liberates the viewer. His characters, heroes, or monsters, traverse a post-apocalyptic world, where they gradually merge with nature. These outcasts and rebels, unbound by societal norms, seek not pity but provoke defiance and even fear, evoking complex emotions within observers.

The Ritual of Cursed Hearts invites you to explore a realm where artistic prowess and boundless imagination converge, a world that challenges conventions and leaves a profound impact on all who dare to immerse themselves in its enchantment.