Katalin Kortmann-Járay, Karina Mendreczky (HU)
Katalin Kortmann-Járay and Karina Mendreczky have been collaborating closely since 2019, creating large-scale, walk-through installations—spatial collages—made up of diverse elements. In their work, they combine various techniques and materials such as textiles, photographs, and sculptures crafted from iron, concrete, and clay, to construct metaphorically fragile spaces. By drawing parallels between contemporary animistic perspectives, rooted in the ecological crisis, and their historical and cultural counterparts, they aim to engage with collective memory.
Their conceptual starting points often involve well-known texts like poems, rhymes, or even song lyrics. These narratives blend the symbolism of fairy tales, quasi-religious motifs, and mysticism. The symbol of women plays a prominent role, reclaiming and valuing qualities often marginalized in patriarchal cultures. The nurturing, care, and interconnectedness traditionally associated with the feminine are expressed through personified objects, creatures, and plants. This approach invites spectators to immerse themselves in the scenarios and explore the themes in a richly layered way.”
KATALIN KORTMANN-JÁRAY (HU) is a visual artist from Budapest, Hungary. Between 2006 and 2012, she attended the Hungarian University of Fine Arts (HUFA) and the Academy of Fine Arts Munich. She has participated in solo exhibitions (with Karina Mendreczky), group exhibitions, biennials, triennials, and award ceremonies across several European countries, as well as in China, Japan, and the USA. She is currently a doctoral student at HUFA. Kortmann is best known for her large-scale installations created in collaboration with Karina Mendreczky, for which she produces the sculptural elements.
KARINA MENDRECZKY (HU) is a visual artist living and working in Vienna, Austria. She studied graphic and print arts at the University of Applied Arts Vienna, and in 2014/2015, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Print & Time-Based Media from Wimbledon College of Arts, London. Since 2013, Mendreczky has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions, art fairs, and award ceremonies across Europe. Mendreczky is best known for her large-scale installations created in collaboration with Katalin Kortmann Járay.
The residency program is supported using public funding by the Slovak Arts Council. The Slovak Arts Council is the main partner of this project. The Residency program is also supported by Mesto Košice a Creative Industry Košice.
Residency was supported by the International Visegrad Fund.
