Pilgrimage attraction – Pavol Hovanec, Peter Barényi

Artists: Pavol Hovanec, Peter Barényi

“The common denominator of both artists’ works is an aesthetic of ‘glitter’—the visual language of cheap attraction that nonetheless carries critical content. Their work is grounded in reality and authentic experience. Although they employ religious motifs, they do not adopt their spiritual character. What fascinates them is the outer façade—overexposed, unrealistic, often impractical and kitschy. Their practice moves along the edge of ironic reflection: the world they create is both ridiculous and touching, cheap yet precise.

The exhibition Pilgrimage Attraction is therefore not merely a presentation of artworks, but opens a space for humor, critique, and self-irony. It is a pilgrimage—of each of us, yet different for everyone. Rather than offering a spiritual meditation, the exhibition provides insight into the mechanisms of visual culture: how symbols are emptied of meaning and transformed into decoration.”
(excerpt from a text by Lucia Kotvanová)

You can read the curatorial text for the exhibition here.

Foto: Piotr Gąska

The activities of FOR MAAT Gallery are supported by public funding from the Slovak Arts Council, which is the main partner of the project. FOR MAAT Gallery is a partner of Trenčín 2026.

Trenčín 2026 is financially supported by the City of Trenčín, the Trenčín Self-Governing Region, and the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic. The European Union is a partner.