In 1995, a group of young artists declared their presence in cultural life with a manifesto in which they broke away with tradition and took the initiative of creating new Bulgarian art. They showcased their innovative ideas in two exhibitions in the 1990s. Twenty years later, under the name "XXL", the artists reunite to trace the imprint of time in their paintings. The exhibition "New Bulgarian Painting III" is located in Oborishte 5 Gallery and Hall in Sofia and will continue until March 3.
In the mid-1990s, the new Bulgarian artists focused on social topics, using modern means of expression such as video, installations, photography. Interesting works that are very different than those of the previous generation of artists were born.
Artist Petko Durmana compares the then "overthrow" of painting to Francis Fukuyama's “The End of History.” According to the American sociologist, liberal democracy and the free market were the endpoint of the socio-cultural evolution of humanity. "A quarter of a century later, however, we're back to the Cold War and painting is the most powerful and important medium," he adds. After years of exploring technology and new media, today Petko Durmana defines his works as "post-technological painting". He presents square-shaped paintings "because they're Instagram friendly."
"In fact, these are two paintings as one is on top of the other and the bottom one can only be seen with technological means," he says. “In the whole ‘undercover’ series, I create a realistic foundation that is somewhat similar to socialist realism, while on top I place poster messages about the actual reality. That is how in ‘Tsar Bomba’ you see Vladimir Putin’s depicted on a bomb and his crown is its stabilizer, while Stalin is painted below. The picture "Hey, Iran", on the other hand, shows the Mickey Mouse badge worn during the 1979-81 hostage crisis in Tehran and underneath is Donald Trump, who has restarted confrontation with Iran. The idea is that history repeats itself, and I place the tragedy as a foundation and the farce is above.”
Although they have taken their own paths and developed their art differently, all artists of the XXL group remain true to the contemporary approach to painting. This is evident in their works, saturated with pop-art elements, conceptual practices, and blending photography and painting. Despite created with different techniques and styles, the works easily interact with each other.
Еnglish version: Alexander Markov
Photos: Diana TsankovaThe European Film Academy (EFA) has welcomed 709 new film professionals as members . Among them are actors Maria Bakalova and Boyko Krastanov and 15 other Bulgarian film professionals. As EFA members, they will be eligible to vote for the European Film..
Exactly 20 years after the release of the epic biblical film The Passion of the Christ , its director Mel Gibson will make a sequel. This was announced by the production company of the Hollywood filmmaker. The production is already in an advanced..
"In a world that is already growing apart, holding hands becomes a silent prayer - a way to come together again". So begins the description of the project "Father and Son" by Bulgarian photographer Valery Poshtarov on the website of the World..
The European Film Academy (EFA) has welcomed 709 new film professionals as members . Among them are actors Maria Bakalova and Boyko Krastanov and 15..
+359 2 9336 661