Rudolf Sikora
Initiative and curation: Kristína Jarošová
Location: Bratislava City Gallery, Pálffy Palace, Slovakia
Date: 2023
Rudolf Sikora’s Work in Augmented Reality Brings an Important Ecological Message for Earth Day
Starting April 22, visitors to Pálffy Palace at the Bratislava City Gallery were introduced to one of the most modern and increasingly popular methods of presenting art—augmented reality (AR). The work of Rudolf Sikora, created in collaboration with the ART FOND collection, highlights the urgent need to address environmental and ecological issues. The artist underscores this urgency in the symbolic form of an exclamation mark.
“Augmented reality provides an interactive experience that connects the real world with digital, computer-generated content. In this case, it presents reality enhanced by a rotating 3D digital version of an exclamation mark. The dot consists of a photograph of the Earth—one of the first taken from space—while the upper part of the symbol is a fragment of cosmic space. The work is also accompanied by a quote from Nobel Prize laureate Jacques L. Monod. The creation of Exclamation Mark in augmented reality was initiated by ART FOND in collaboration with Sikora, with the goal of bringing the message of responsibility for the state of our planet and environment to younger generations,” said Kristína Jarošová.
Rudolf Sikora was one of the first artists in Europe to systematically address themes of global civilizational and ecological threats, beginning in the early 1970s. As the artist himself recalls:
“In the autumn of 1969, I came across materials from the Club of Rome, which was founded on April 7, 1968, in Rome. Various experts highlighted the global problem of climate change on our planet. I needed a more precise foundation for my interest in the environment and its development. I began to perceive the state of the environment around me, around us, and across the world more concretely. I connected with environmentalists and ecologists—I wanted to understand humanity better. And I add: We humans are here—on our Earth—dependent on each other: one person on another! If we turn against each other, we won’t survive the future. The planet Earth will remain—but without us… That very planet became the dot in my Exclamation Mark, warning and sending a message into the universe!”
“Augmented reality is still a rarity in our region, but in the future, it will bring significant changes to both the creation and presentation of visual art. People now have the opportunity to explore Exclamation Mark on their smartphones—either in monumental size at Pálffy Palace until May 14 or in a smaller version from the comfort of their homes. Simply scan the horizontally placed QR code and use the filter in the Instagram app. The artwork will then come to life right before your eyes,” said Kristína Jarošová, director of ART FOND, the art collection of 365.bank.
Exhibition Details:
Duration: April 22 – May 14, 2023
Location: Bratislava City Gallery, Pálffy Palace