Korte beschrijving/Annotatie

An obscure encyclopedia in which an archetypal metropolis that has evolved into an autonomous organism mirrors the entirety of creation.

Tekst achterflap

'Anima Mundi', meaning ‘world spirit’, is rooted in Platonic thought and reflects the ancient concept of a universal organising principle that connects all beings. Máté Bartha (HU) explores the hidden anatomy of an archetypal metropolis, portraying urban space as a social product. A ‘second nature’ shaped by human hands, yet one that has evolved into an autonomous organism no longer governed by its creators. Designed as an obscure encyclopedia, Anima Mundi attempts to capture a world in its entirety through complex and often cryptic visual codes. Divided into chapters that examine urban phenomena from the microcosmic to the cosmic, it invites the reader to act as an interpreter, searching for a hidden logic behind the scenes.

Slogan/Promotie

'Anima Mundi', meaning ‘world spirit’, is rooted in Platonic thought and reflects the ancient concept of a universal organising principle that connects all beings. Máté Bartha (HU) explores the hidden anatomy of an archetypal metropolis, portraying urban space as a social product. A ‘second nature’ shaped by human hands, yet one that has evolved into an autonomous organism no longer governed by its creators. Designed as an obscure encyclopedia, Anima Mundi attempts to capture a world in its entirety through complex and often cryptic visual codes. Divided into chapters that examine urban phenomena from the microcosmic to the cosmic, it invites the reader to act as an interpreter, searching for a hidden logic behind the scenes.

Biografie

Máté Bartha (1987) is a Budapest-based visual artist working in the fields of photography and documentary film. He’s interested in theory fiction, dealing with philosophical topics with a playful approach that involves impersonation and world-building. In 2014, he self-published his first book of photographs, Common Nature. His series Kontakt was awarded the Louis Roederer Discovery Award at the Rencontres d’Arles International Photo Festival in 2019. Bartha’s documentary Downstream won multiple awards, including Best Student and First Film at the 2019 Verzio International Human Rights Film Festival. His latest project, Anima Mundi has been an Honourable Mention of the PhMuseum Grant Main Prize, and awarded the Jury Prize of Les Boutographies festival at Montpellier, both in 2024. Máté Bartha is represented in Hungary by TOBE Gallery.

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