Jecza Gallery at UNTITLED MIAMI: showcasing a juxtaposition of of Romanian artists Roman Cotoșman, Molnár Zoltán, and Norbert Ștefan alongside Austrian artist Nana Mandl

Miami Beach, 3 - 8 December 2024 
B34 https://untitledartfairs.com/tickets 10am - 7 pm https://untitledartfairs.com/

In this year's edition of Untitled Art Miami Beach 2024, Jecza Gallery is pleased to present a juxtaposition of Romanian artists Roman Cotoșman, Molnár Zoltán, and Norbert Ștefan alongside Austrian artist Nana Mandl. This curated selection serves as a cultural conduit, connecting an older generation of artists with a new wave and emphasizing the introduction of Eastern perspectives on art to a Western audience within the context of the fair.


Roman Cotoșman (1935, Jimbolia - 2006, Philadelphia) significantly shaped Romanian art in the 1960s through his exploration of the spiritual interplay between the absolute and the void in visual expression. Strongly influenced by Orthodox theology, his artistic practice delves into the essence of perception and the journey from sensory experience to spiritual revelation. From 1963 onward, Cotoșman focused on geometric abstraction and kinetic art. His sculptures combine constructive and geometric elements, creating new spatial-temporal relationships, emphasizing the dynamic tension between order and chaos, and inviting viewers to engage with the visual space actively.

 

The artistic pursuits of Molnár Zoltán (1937, St. Gheorghe-1999, Timișoara) are anchored in a non-figurative methodology, seeking inspiration from nature to transform elements of the tangible world into his paintings. His work resonates strongly with the rigor and geometric precision of constructivism, as he endeavored to balance clear forms, defined rhythms, and refined color palettes.

 

In complement to the dialogue between Roman Cotoșman and Molnár Zoltan, Norbert Ștefan's (*1990, Cluj-Napoca) works are evocative of natural phenomena, creating an almost apocalyptic ambiance with their formatting and contemplative depth. Through a seamless fusion of digital and analog processes, deeply intertwining the domains of painting, abstraction, and digital expression, Ștefan refines his color compositions until they resonate with autonomous strength. Drawing inspiration from his exploration of printing techniques like Decalcomania, where motifs transcend purely depiction to become independent entities, the artist adeptly navigates the unpredictable while retaining control. Pondering virtual reality as a bare simulation of our environment, Stefan perceives dreams as neural simulations of our reality and perception.

 

In the expansive, vibrant, and material-rich collages of Austrian artist Nana Mandl (*1991, Graz), analog and digital image archives converge to create precise and multifaceted compositions where private memories intersect with the collective consciousness of a generation. Mandl's artistic practice incorporates a diverse array of elements, including sticker motifs, transfer images, Disney characters, Bravo magazine covers, handwritten notes, and photographs, all intertwined with Photoshop layouts, pixelated surfaces, and remnants of visual information from digital image production, storage, and reproduction. Notably, Mandl emphasizes the canvas itself through her innovative use of materials, as various textiles meet and are processed in distinct ways, often deployed as embroidered gestures akin to brushstrokes. The sewn and embroidered components serve as anchor points and counterbalances to the accelerated production and circulation of images characterizing the digital age. Sculptures evoking a spiritual dialogue through geometric abstraction and kinetic movement engage with paintings reminiscent of natural wonders, while collages merge personal memories with digital imagery to create a rich tapestry of collective consciousness.


At Unlimited Art Miami Beach 2024, the presentation of these four artistic positions revolves around a fragmented narrative that explores past technological processes alongside traditional practices, bridging historical and contemporary approaches. Taking the form of a cartography of the mind seeking understanding, the relationship between materiality and spatial perception emerges as a recurring theme, with the sculptures and collages navigating visual spaces. Dynamic compositions blur the lines between
digital and analog dimensions, fostering tactile engagement with the materials used. Illustrating a dialogue that spans generations, the presentation reflects broader cultural narratives and contemporary concerns about identity and collective memory, inviting viewers to contemplate the intricate connections between the diverse artistic positions.