Donšisnká Ice Cave

Dobšinska Ice Cave

The painting depicts the Dobšina Ice Cave, which is located in the Slovak Paradise. Due to the influence of global warming, many of the caves are losing their former appearance. This is most noticeable in ice caves, where there is even a threat of the gradual disappearance of their natural decoration. Part of the project is also capturing their ephemerality and drawing attention to the fragility and transience of their existence. The ice formations do not shine, they are matte and round. You can see ice crystals that don't have the atmosphere of cold, sharp ice at all, but have shades of brown. The fact that the ice cave will disappear forever is real.

The aim of the project is to create a series of paintings and watercolor studies that will reflect the Slovak caves that have been made accessible and are under the protection of UNESCO. I created watercolor and drawing studies directly in the caves. I personally visited six of Slovakia's most important caves. Caves, for me, are inspiring because of their natural aesthetics as well as their invisibility on the surface. I perceive them as a dull landscape hidden in the depths of the earth, perfectly describing the symbiosis of aesthetic, cultural and environmental value. I would like to develop a dialogue between these aspects with my project.

Through the gradual analysis of natural patterns and structures of cave decoration, I create illusory paintings in the studio. The benefit of the project is drawing attention to inorganic nature, its importance and the necessity of its protection. One of my intentions is also to open up questions connected with the protection of Slovak nature and ecology.