Julia Csekö: Artist Statement

In my recent sculptures from the Hybrid series, objects and bodies are miniaturized in a interplay between micro/macro politics in contemporary life. Ranging from the social gaps between nations and societies and military squanders to individual wants and needs. These are recurring issues, which resurface throughout time and space, from the most ancient cultures, forgotten in a distant past until this day.

It is fun to play with scale, transporting grand symbols of macro social constructs to the proportions of children's toys. A distanced perspective reveals the macro politics of the world order, a closer look, however, gives us the micro politics of life such as: living life well and fully, dressing, eating, forming a family, having a few laughs, the battlefields of sexual desire and falling in love.

Complex macro politics issues such as warfare or social disparities in society, once transported to the doll size scale, are made less overpowering and easier to comprehend. Seeing the world from the perspective of a child, whose opinions are still being formed and values instilled, encourages the viewer to doubt deeply set beliefs and feelings of impotence. It suggests a more creative and less fatalistic approach.

The viewer is invited to question the importance and value that some social symbols take in our lives. Fantasy momentarily removes the frightening sense of risk and responsibility involved in taking action. The idea in these pieces is to make space for one's mind to move freely over what would seem too vast or complex: war, poverty/wealth, and managing a globalized society.

The diminution and softening in these sculptures is an empowerment strategy, inviting one's thoughts into these complex issues without the intimidation of the "life size" or "bigger than life" problems.

––Julia Csekö