Krásnohorská Cave is the only one of the caves made up
mainly of dolomite, and therefore a large part of its system is without
decoration. The cave looks austere, raw, and its decoration is minimalist, but
the first sight of the drop, which is at its end, is even more impressive. With
a height of 34 meters, it is currently the largest stalagmite in the world. It
is growing at an uncharacteristically fast rate, and experts still haven't been
able to figure out the cause. It was merged with the ceiling only a few years
ago. It is interesting that another stalagmite of large dimensions once grew a
short distance from it, but due to the movement of the earth's crust, it fell
apart and one of its fallen parts grew together with a new stalagnate.
In my paintings, I will symbolize the temporal layering of
various formations of drip decoration, rock formations dissected by water, or
massive underground halls by the accumulation of thinner areas of paint. The
reason is the capture of trickles of running water, as a basic building element
that creates a drop decoration.
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.
