Ilona Németh: METOD

The artist’s solo presentation engages with omnipresent limitations and possibilities, from promises portrayed through advertisement slogans to the very personal memories passed on in her family history. The workshop and studio atmosphere of the project space serves as a backdrop, underlining the entanglement of the private and public, while continuing ZÖNOTÉKA’s long-term curatorial approach of creating spatial metamorphoses by site-specific artistic encounters.

Born in Czechoslovakia to a family of Hungarian national descent, over the past 25 years Németh has created a vast body of work, constantly questioning ingrained identity patterns and truths offered up by the majority opinion. She has openly engaged with her multi-national affiliation, female tone and critical political mindset, including her family background of active politicians, sociologists and lawyers. Her immediate surroundings – its objects, characters and occurrences – serve as her starting point for video and photographic articulations, alongside appropriated or manufactured pieces and site specific works, including installations in the public sphere.

METOD provides insight into Németh’s manifold practice by displaying a set of works, some of which were produced years ago while others are newly conceived. She establishes liminal spheres between mass-produced design and liturgical practice, the cozy home environment and a general condition of exposure, between political rhetoric and personal confession. Ambivalence is generated to stage how current politics persistently interferes with our lives, as Németh constantly seeks moments where these forces can be revealed, exposed and understood.

Supported using public funding by Slovak Arts Council.
Supported by Collegium Hungaricum Berlin and BorStore Berlin.