◯ unpaid artwork
▼ Janáček Theatre – piazzetta
What does a knot evoke in you? Do you think of the famous Gordian knot, which couldn’t be untied and could only be cut?
The object in the public space created by the BN Label collective borrows some connotations associated with such a motif. A knot might evoke a problem, a complication, often an insoluble situation. It organically intertwines and is hard to discern how individual waves and twists intersect: whether it consists of multiple parts or is just one long formation. It can also be seen as a representation of situations in public spaces that seemingly have no satisfactory solution and where it’s challenging to unravel the fabric of diverse needs and interests.
However, with its color and shape, it also evokes another element found on our streets: children’s climbing frames or slides. A “knotty” problem transforms into child’s play, disrupting and breaking the usual shape conformity of urbanized areas. A complex element doesn’t necessarily have to be an obstacle; it can bring a breath of fresh air and offer a different, intuitive, and playful perspective on the city.
BN Label is an informal collective of Slovak visual artists, designers, and programmers who are united by their shared passion for creating installations in public spaces. The group’s members work with both new technologies and traditional craft techniques, combining a wide range of artistic approaches and methods.Their installations engage with urban architecture, reflecting various social themes and questions through visual experiences. Their works premiere annually at BIELA NOC/WHITE NIGHT, an international contemporary art festival in Slovakia. These installations often take the form of experimental interventions in urban spaces, monumental objects, or visual concepts created through the collaboration of different creative disciplines.
