// ABOUT THE EXHIBITION
In today's fast-paced world, rush and tension have become a normal part of everyday reality. We are so used to being stressed all the time that we don't even notice it. We are always trying to be efficient, even if it means neglecting our own needs. But is this constant effort without a break really effective? Perhaps we live in a burned-out society where inwardly exhausted people move from task to task like machines, because hardly anyone can imagine any other way of life. Why is it so hard for us to slow down? Can we still perceive slowing down as anything other than something that holds us back?
The exhibition features the works of thirteen artists from art colleges in Dresden, Ústí nad Labem and Prague. Each of them reflects the theme of slowing down in their own specific way. Some of the works critically examine the social pressures that, on one hand, push us to sacrifice healthy amounts of revitalization, and on the other, demand the suppression of our natural restlessness. One possible response to free ourselves from this grip is the practice of mindfulness: by adopting the role of an observer, we can learn to meet our experience with open awareness - not to label, not to judge, but to simply witness, without letting negativity take hold. It is through slowing down and a deeper perception of the present moment that we can reconnect with ourselves - our bodies and our quieter minds. Many of the participating artists have intentionally embraced slowness by employing labor-intensive, time-consuming techniques in the creation of their works.
This deliberate artistic process allows the artist as well as the viewer to discover subtle details that would easily go unnoticed at a faster pace, rewarding those who practice conscious and attentive engagement. In turn, it reminds us that both our perspective and the filters, through which we view the world, significantly shape our experience of reality.
A recurring theme in many of the works is the presence of nature, which provides an authentic environment for deceleration and helps to come to terms with one's emotions – including the most challenging ones. This slowing down and becoming aware again of our own finitude can give us the strength to simply be. Through the work of these artists, we are reminded that slowing down is not a sign of weakness or inefficiency, but an opportunity to reconnect with ourselves, with nature and with the world around us.
