The Future of Art is an interview series where I speak with artists on the topics of sustainability and climate change in relation to their artistic practices. The series aims to explore a range of viewpoints, not only those of artists working directly with these topics but also how it affects the practices of all artists, no matter their chosen themes or mediums.
Our next artist is Adrienn Ujhazi. Based in Novi Sad in Serbia, Ujhazi focuses her interdisciplinary practice on ecological and bio art practices.
Research and experimentation are her foundations. Installations, videos, objects and ready-mades are the final forms.
She appropriates natural materials, transforming them with minimal intervention in order to create the final results of her work. Videography and photography are necessary parts of her work, allowing her to document the entire artistic process.
Tell us about your art. What led you to artistic practice and what do you create?
The drive to do artistic research came to me intuitively and naturally. My inspiration originates from my childhood. I was influenced by my grandmothers (one was a tailor, the other one is a housewife with a broad knowledge of gardening).
My plan was to expand my creativity using unconventional materials, organic shapes, textures, and to present them to the public in a unique way. As the years passed, my work developed in the direction of abstraction, but at the same time it keeps reminding me of the micro-world of biodiversity.
From the series "Thats's Life..", Object (wheat ear in formaline) 20 x 15 cm
From the series "Cycle of Gaia" (2018) The facility (acrylic-covered wheat cakes – plastic and covered with glass) 7 x 21 x 24 cm
One of the first natural materials I chose for my work was wheat. It is a historical symbol and a basic nutritional source. Therefore, I emphasize it's importance to humankind through different time periods. My opinion is that in the near future, because of our environment, we will eager to use only Bio products in our everyday lives.
By appropriating nature, I am promoting aesthetic and poetic expressions that boost a conscious relationship between humans and nature. As an interdisciplinary artist, I let the various fields I work in flow into one visual and aesthetic whole.
What compels you to work in the field of ecological and bio art?
We enter the third decade of the 21st century, with the same habits and irresponsible attitude towards nature prevailing, with very few people as exceptions. With great passion for art, I want to raise more awareness and improve the attitude of people towards their own environment, the nature surrounding them.
Today, we live in the world of decisions, where each individual could take a step towards change.
Photo document of the experiment with scoby - From the series of Biophilia, 2019
My new project, that I am completing for my master studies, is closely connected to this theme. I am researching a new organic material, a scoby-fungus that develops from fermented (black) tea.
The name of this series is "BIOPHILIA". Biophilia aims to show the instinctive connection of humans with all living systems. The second part of the Biophilia project is situated within the field of applied arts. I created my first scoby hat, which is a 100% sustainable, eco-friendly and zero waste material. I have had positive results and received positive feedback for this project and I am looking forward to possible collaborations with other people involved in this field.
Photo document of the experiment with scoby - From the series of Biophilia, 2019
Photo document of the experiment with scoby - From the series of Biophilia, 2019
Have the topics of climate change and/or sustainability affected your artistic practice either directly or indirectly?
As a young artist from Serbia, I am constantly following the foreign artistic scenes, especially the ones originating from northern european countries. Bio art is my field in the fine art practices, which has developed significantly during the first and second decade in the 21st century. Bio design, organic and sustainable art practices are now going viral, because of the environmental issues we face.
As I observe our circumstances and how art reflects our society, I have come to the conclusion that bio art will soon be the leading field in contemporary art practices. Soon we won't be able to ignore the nature we destroyed - our environment. Everybody will feel it in some way, but by then, it will be too late to act.
Worldwide there are universities, residencies, workshops etc. whose concepts are based on building bridges and connecting bio-organic art and design with science and technology. There are people who are working very hard with good will and compassion to find new solutions. Sometimes we need to go back to the beginning to get a clear view of everything.
Solo exhibition "Cycles of Gaia", Gallery "Meander", Apatin, Serbia
Have you reduced your carbon footprint in your professional practice in any way over the last few years. If so, how?
My main motivation is to experiment with technical resources. My curiosity lead me to this field, to create something which is of good quality and causes less damage to the environment. That is why I turned towards organic materials. My opinion is that artists have their free choice to show that there is a chance for a better future. Feeding the current negative mindset is not going to change anything, it will only increase fear and anger. In some cases artworks are, and have to be, brutal and honest, to get people shocked or to question themselves. In that case the product should also be compatible with a low carbon footprint.
Photo document of the experiment with scoby - From the series Biophilia, 2019
From the series "Cycle of Gaia" -“Leftover” (2018.) The facility (acrylic-covered wheat cakes - plastic, on a wooden spoon wrapped in a gauze and placed in a white box and covered with glass) 7 x 21 x 24 cm
Do you think artists have a responsibility to respond to these issues? Why/Why not?
In social life, the artist's role has always been important. Social media has provided a platform for artists to develop themselves regardless of where they live. Now they have the opportunity to say something with their creations. Recently, there have been many social media artists who work only for aesthetics, which is also acceptable, but it should not be their main drive. Art has to seduce and educate people, not to be invisible and passed by.
For me, as an artist, I'm eager to create and share my creative perspective by accentuating the biggest global issue, which is our environment.
"The seed is not just a source of life. This is the very foundation of our being."
- Vandana Shiva, ecofeminist
Vandana Shiva has been a major influence on my creativity.
Portrait photo with scoby in a glass 2019. Photo by Dejan Krstić