User:Mano Daniel Szollosi/Graduation Thesis

Graduation Thesis

Paradox as the core method

by Manó Dániel Szöllősi

Chapter One

The starting point of my thesis is the presentation of the breakthrough discovery of the coherent method in my previous practise and the expression of the fascination for twists, paradoxes, reversed logic and loopholes. Although that the subject and topics of these work are very broad and vary – what connects them is the method applied. And it lets me deal with a diverse range of topics which is liberating.

This chapter defines through analysing my previous works what is this method of mine including influential works and examples of other artists.

Chapter two introduces the final project.

'Empty spots' 'steals' back what has been stolen: it revalues a great value-loss. A value that is actually completely fictitious – because clearly the painting were not for sale – but has been multiplied by this real event. The project creates value out of pure loss.

The technique it uses – commissioned Chinese artists to transpose the photos to handmade oil paintings – creates the loophole effect: several original modern oil painting has been stolen when they were exhibited feeding my final project creating new oil painting and exhibited again.

Further than that it also applies a paradoxical – controversial technique: the fact that an art student (since the 'Ready-mades') can exhibit and claim as his own work a series of handmade oil paintings without ever touching a brush or canvas.

Chapter Three the analysis of the context of Empty Spots

The project deals with the aura of the stolen art pieces.

Bibliography Walter, Benjamin – The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction, 1936