In "Mon seul désir," currently gracing Galerie Chloé Salgado in Paris, Maria Szakats embarks on an exquisite exploration of human nature through a unique blend of artistry and craftsmanship.
The exhibition presents a remarkable synthesis of traditional embroidery and the ethereal realms of photography and AI-generated imagery. Szakats, once a fashion designer, now demonstrates a profound shift in her creative trajectory, embracing the slow, meticulous labor of art over the swift rhythms of the fashion industry. Her works, intricate and hauntingly beautiful, speak to the transcendental nature of art, where each stitch becomes a meditative act, each piece a contemplation on time and being.
Szakats' canvases are a testament to the enduring allure of allegory, echoing the grandeur of medieval tapestries. Yet, unlike their ancient counterparts, her works abstain from human centrality, instead immersing the viewer into a universe of distorted flora and fauna. This deliberate omission invites an introspective engagement, where the audience fills the void, becoming part of the narrative. The allegorical elements, painstakingly brushed into life, create a mesmerizing effect of motion, blurring the boundaries between the static and the dynamic, the real and the surreal.
The title "Mon seul désir" is a thoughtful nod to the famous medieval tapestry series "La Dame à la licorne." In Szakats' interpretation, however, the central human figure is conspicuously absent, replaced by a focus on the surrounding allegorical elements. This shift from human to nature reflects a deeper contemplation on the human condition itself, fractured and dispersed into the surrounding environment.
Finally, Szakats' choice of media – the interplay of mohair embroidery and AI-generated images – is a bold statement on the evolving nature of art itself. Her work challenges traditional notions of artistic creation, merging the tactile with the technological, the ancient with the avant-garde. This blend not only showcases Szakats' mastery of diverse techniques but also her visionary approach to art, redefining the boundaries of artistic expression.
