Tales of the Green Heart
Otto Szabo â Robotto
Earth, Wind and Fire
Project Info
- đ Longtermhandstand, Budapest
- đ PĂ©ter Bencze
- đ€ Otto Szabo â Robotto
- đ PĂ©ter Bencze
- đ Ăron Weber
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Otto Szabo â Robottoâs first solo exhibition at Longtermhandstand marks a new
chapter in his evolving artistic practice. Here, Robotto presents a series of kinetic
sculptures and video installations that blend his matured technical skill with bold
thematic exploration. Through transformed ventilatorsâreimagined as totemic
screensâRobotto loops imagery of tornados, natural disasters, and environmental
chaos, each surreal twist peppered with Temu advertisements. These juxtapositions
probe the tension between nature and consumer culture, examining how each
consumes the other in unexpected ways. In the main room, Robotto showcases The
Freelancer's Dream, a sound-sensitive sculptural installation that serves as the
essence of his years at the Zurich University of the Arts. Created during a period of
intense personal growthâamidst moving abroad, the COVID-19 pandemic, adapting
to a new community, and the birth of his daughterâthe work encapsulates Robottoâs
exploration of identity, connection, and transformation. Involving the viewer as an
integral part of the installation, the work responds to applause, activating a mechanism
that eventually leads to destruction. At its core is a handmade porcelain vase, a fragile
foundation upon which the sculpture is built. "It represents appreciation," Robotto
explains, "but ultimately, it leads to destruction." Each break in the porcelain signals
the fulfillment of a cycle, as the sculpture adapts around the form and symbolism of
this handcrafted object, giving it a spirit imbued with both beauty and impermanence.
Drawing on influences from kinetic art pioneers like Jean Tinguely and Viktor Lois,
Robotto merges traditional techniques with new technologies, including 3D printing
and moving-image projection, to craft a layered, immersive experience. His work
reflects a constant curiosity and an evolving perspective on the interplay between
technology, humanity, and the natural world, inviting viewers into his uniquely
constructed universe of both wonder and critical reflection.
PĂ©ter Bencze