Tobola, Maria.

*1987 in Leszno, PL
lives and works in Poznań, PL
2006 - 2008 Academy of Fine Arts in Poznań (painting department)
2009 Academy of Fine Arts in Poznań (intermedia department)

 

Exhibitions [Selection]:
2011 – group exhibition "Wipe your shoes", Zamość
2010 – Re:Wizje festival in Warsaw, Palace of Culture and Science
2010 – laureates of Samsung Art Master exhibition at CSW Ujazdowski Castle in Warsaw
2009 – scholarship in Salzburg, Roche Continents, Youth! Art! Science!
2008 – "all wolfs are made of steel", group exhibition, City Gallery, Sanok
 

Self-portrait with mother

 

Date: 2009
Length: 01:52 min
Format:  16:9
Specification: Colour, No Sound

 

A still frontal shot opens up the scene with an image of two well-dressed women in a tender embrace. Their resemblance, reinforced by the title of the piece, leads the viewer to identify them as mother and daughter. This perfect picture is completed by setting of the middle-class affluence: the floral upholstery on the sofa and the flickering of the fireplace generate the feeling of safety and snugness of a family country house. The viewer is lulled by the stereotypical representation of family happiness until the moment the women start kissing. Their prolonged sensual mouth-to-mouth exchange surpasses all filial-parental expectations. All of a sudden, the initially perfect picture catapults the viewer into the realm of the taboo of incest. Where is the line between healthy familial affection and sexual abuse? Practically every culture regards sexual relationships between people related by blood as both a social taboo and a criminal offense. However, the degrees of affection vary considerably between cultures: in some, parents share a bed with their offspring and exhibit other types of close physical contact; others are characterized by a larger emotional and physical distance between parents and children. Maria Tobola asks the viewer to consider the boundaries of permissible parental affection and decide whether it is possible to harm someone with too much love.

OC

 

Interview:

► 1. Your video has been chosen among over 1700 festival entries to participate in Videonale 13. How central the video medium to your overall artistic production?


Is it complimentary to other media you use or do you work exclusively with video?

Video medium is central to my artistic production, but I use also performance and photography in my works.

 

► 2. Is there a particular theme, concept or problem your art addresses the most?

 

In general I am self portraitist, using my image to show various problems, but mostly exploring such themes as pose, image, sexuality, show, fun and playing with social conventions.

 

► 3. What artists do you relate to or find significant for your own art-making?

 

I admire a lot of artists, but I do not think that anyone of them is truly significant for my own art. I'm inspired more by people and things around me then by other artists' work.

 

► 4. Do you think the video medium can address social or political issues better than other art media?

 

I do not really care about it, I use video medium because it is the most natural and suitable for me.

 

► 5. Art can be seen as a mirror that registers and reflects life or as a tool that transforms it. Which of the two positions is close to your own art-making philosophy?

 

Oh, I love mirrors!

 

► 6. How do you understand success in an art-making career?

 

Money,fame, glamour, openings in hype galleries, taxi vouchers, luxury, designer clothes and champagne!

 

► 7. What is the most difficult and the most rewarding thing about making art / being an artist?

 

I do not know what is the most difficult, because I always avoid difficult things, but I find fame the most rewarding.

 

► 8. What are your upcoming projects?

 

They are fabulous!

 

► 9. What do you do when you don't make art?

 

In my free time I go shopping and drink alcohol. I also enjoy being satisfied and flattered.
 

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