Ljubljana
MGML
Matej Stupica
© Matej Stupica

Match Gallery

Trg francoske revolucije 7
1000 Ljubljana

T +386 1 24 12 590
T +386 1 24 12 500
E galerija.vzigalica@mgml.si


Tuesday–Sunday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Monday: Closed
1 January, 1 November, 25 December: Closed
24 and 31 December: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Free entry.


Matej Stupica

Terms

26. 9. 2024–17. 11. 2024

The Terms exhibition presents a multifaceted exploration of Matej Stupica’s artistic practices, which encompass a range of disciplines. It features the work of numerous co-creators, showcasing the collaborative nature of Stupica’s oeuvre.

The title Toplice in the Slovenian language, denotes a thermal spa. It is a multi-faceted designation, associated with notions of comfort, rehabilitation, and a retreat from the demands of everyday life. In contrast, its English counterpart Terms refers to the specific terms and conditions that govern the use of spas. In the context of a reduction in the scope of perspectives on life and politics, a gallery exhibition may be perceived as a refuge for an “impossible game”. The title, which has been intentionally mistranslated, thus features the Slovenian Toplice (thermal spa) that transgresses into English Terms, which has at least two distinct possible interpretations. The concept may be seen to allude to the terms and conditions to which we often unknowingly agree, even if they constitute the complex formations of contemporary world and affect all layers of our existence. The second meaning may be seen to allude to terms that are used in a descriptive manner, as a means of providing definitions and orientating oneself within the mental world. However, such terms can also be considered dubious, contradictory and contentious.

The historical features of the Match Gallery’s architecture - including arches, pilasters and passages - serve to create a sound cavity, a resonant space for the intermingling of perspectives and artistic expressions. This space is experienced through several equivalent media, including drawings, objects, videos, sound, an exhibition leaflet and texts.

One of the key elements of the exhibition is the absence of human presence within the space. In its place, the vernacular void is populated by a variety of prepared instruments and deconstructed construction objects. Additionally, the voices of individuals reading and “singing” fragments of the exhibition text contribute to the overall ambience.

The spatial installation is dialogically complemented and also commented on by the wall drawings of Matej Stupica, which create outlandish meanings and symbols in a similar manner to that of combining something that is entirely familiar and ordinary with something contrary and disturbing. The conceptualisation of the text is undertaken in close collaboration with the writer and poet Andrej Tomažin, who is the author of the texts exhibited. Both of their oeuvres are defined by experimental interweaving of multifarious meanings and expressions, inviting open interpretation. It may be conceived as a kind of visual-verbal constructivist game.

The exhibition’s soundscape is comprised of the composition Autotune Diet, which was co-created by Tomaž Grom with processing, Irena Z. Tomažin with her voice, and Duplo Ništa with the text. Additionally, the voices of Ana Pepelnik and Andrej Tomažin are featured, reading fragments of the exhibition text. Furthermore, the exhibition incorporates the sounds of prepared instruments, which were crafted by the artist in collaboration with the sound artist Staš Vrenko and the maker Bojan Stefanović. Stupica employs modified microphones in sonic and luminous objects, created in collaboration with electrical engineer Gregor Krpič, to broadcast human voices.

Hana Podvršič is the designer of the costume elements, which function as objects and investigate the relations between fabric, space, and the human body, despite the absence of the latter from the installation. Neža Knez created 3D animations and videos that employ a layered approach, combining multiple connotations and integrating visual and textual elements. The collective effort of the entire group of creators is based on a form of mutual structuralist fusion, which gives rise to the multi-layered nature of the exhibition.

The installation’s underlying concern is the social response to the increasingly commonplace catastrophes and conflicts. Notwithstanding their occurrence, they are frequently perceived in a state of disorientation and lethargy, which subsequently gives rise to a proclivity to disregard them. The individual thus assumes a position of refuge and isolates themselves within an apparently secure domicile, constrained by the internal and external structures that comprise the home environment and overwhelmed by the incessant media noise that is carried around and within them as a consequence of their addiction. They aspire towards a state of peace and, upon averting their gaze, find themselves transported to the Terms. It is important to note that the Terms contain a substance that may be perceived as slimy by some individuals. Furthermore, the activity of swimming is strictly prohibited under those terms. 

Colophon

Production: Museum and Galleries of Ljubljana
Co-production: Obratomlat Studio
Design and making: Matej Stupica
Curator: Jani Pirnat
Texts and voice: Andrej Tomažin
Costume design: Hana Podvršič
3D animation and video editing: Neža Knez
3D printing: Tomo Per
Sound collaborator: Staš Vrenko
Electronics development: Gregor Krpič
Fine mechanics: Bojan Stefanović
Sound mastering of the composition Autotune diet: Tomaž Grom
Vocal for the composition Autotune diet: Irena Tomažin
Autotune diet composition text: Duplo Ništa
Light design: Martin Lovšin Schintr
Voice: Ana Pepelnik
Coding: Matic Potočnik
Video editing assistant: Matic Pandel
Translations: Urban Belina
Public relations: Maja Čehovin Korsika
Design: Duplo Ništa, Jaka Šuln
Technical realisation: O.K.vir, Technical Service MGML, DA Tisk, Obratomlat Studio


Special Thanks: Jaka Berger, Čič, Primož Čučnik, Lenka Đorojević, Johannes Elias Lohbihler (dada machines), Enej Grom, Andraž Magajna, Katerina Mirović, Jure Lavrin, Ivan Pankaran, Tomo Per, Nejc Prah, Bert Prelec, Igor Remeta, Brane Ždralo, DA tisk, HT2, Via Negativa

Match Gallery

Trg francoske revolucije 7
1000 Ljubljana

T +386 1 24 12 590
T +386 1 24 12 500
E galerija.vzigalica@mgml.si


Tuesday–Sunday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Monday: Closed
1 January, 1 November, 25 December: Closed
24 and 31 December: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Free entry.