Hungarian artist Zoltan Viczan has revealed his love and memories of his homeland in a series of new glass artworks at the exhibition, Layers of Hungary, which is taking place at Picnic Gallery in downtown Shanghai from Oct 13 to Nov 15.
Born in Hungary in 1979, Viczan began his studies in glass art at an early age in Budapest. for having developed his own style and techniques for glass engraving(雕刻).
Traditional glassmaking in the West originated in Italy, where the royal court forced master crafts people to live on an island and create fine goods, Viczan says. Then they took the technique to other parts of Europe, such as Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia.
Viczan came to Asia 10 years ago, spending four years in Japan and two years in Hong Kong before moving to Shanghai in 2016. Generally many expatriates socialized with people from their countries to overcome homesickness.
In the exhibition, visitors will see a map of Hungary sculpted in cast glass and decorated with traditional Hungarian glass patterns, and works describing the city of Budapest and Lake Balaton, the largest lake in Central Europe.
For example, he removed the protective and reflective layers of the mirror to create a window on the surface that reveals the layer underneath. He even placed multiple layers of these windows in front of each other, creating a 3D effect that changes when viewed from different angles.
“We live in an infinitely complex world that we have no way to fully understand,” he says. “Through our experiences, we form a worldview that becomes our reality, which will be challenged when we are exposed to new ideas. These layers of realizations are the signs of our personal development.”
A. He has practiced the art form for nearly 30 years.
B. This is the first time he has presented his creations.
C. The works on show reflect Viczan's unique methods.
D. Some managed to escape despite of the risks of death.
E. Viczan chose to represent memories of his homeland through his art.
F. The artist believes this is a good way to show idea about people's viewpoints of reality.
G. It recalled the beauty of the calm, flat water which starts rippling after throwing a pebble in it.
