Marie Tomanova’s first solo show, YOUNG AMERICAN, at the Czech Center New York will be on display until August 10, 2018, showing many young kids from the downtown NYC scene.
As the culminating show of the Czech Center New York’s New Bohemia Exhibition series that celebrates the vital and dynamic connections between the Czech Republic and the United States, particularly in honor of the 100 Year Anniversary of the Czech Republic, Marie Tomanova’s “Young American” does not directly problematize what it means to be an American today, but celebrates the freedom and identity of the idea of an “America” still rife with dreams and possibilities, hope and freedom. Her images, direct and without artifice, confront us with the power and beauty of people simply being, the young…just being. And in this just being is the essence of unity, love, and acceptance.
Tomanova relates with her subjects—they relate with her. There is something. There is a spirit that just seems to be present. It may be that punctum that Roland Barthes describes in Camera Lucida, but even if it is not, there is still really something…. Do you see it, or does it go beyond seeing and surface? Do you feel it? The exterior only reveals what is below, and that is a heart…beating. Can you feel the pulse and know that they are you?
Name : Marie Tomanova
Birthplace : Valtice, Czech Republic (small town with about 5k people)
Métier : Artist
Sources of inspiration : Life. NYC. Constant chatting with my partner about ideas and stuff.
Sources of motivation : Passion for what I do.
What makes you happy : Brunch at my favorite place in East Village – Cafe Mogador. Picking up developed rolls of film and looking through them. Trips out of NYC. Returns back to NYC. Thrift shopping. Czech food at Bohemian Spirit on UES. Ukrainian food at Veselka. Bike rides around the river. Skype calls with my mom. Well vacuumed carpet in my living room. And most of all – well done load of work. I love to work and it makes me happy.
Favorite reads : Henning Mankell detective stories. And I love to read food menus.
Favorite tunes : Brazilian radio station on Pandora at home. WFUV radio at work.
Favorite foods : Everything. Especially our home-made vegetable smoothies.
Beauty tips : Being happy? Yes. Being happy!
Favorite ways to unwind : Get together with friends.
What gets you in a working flow : Deadlines. Constant deadlines from others or my own that I set for myself!
What are you working on now : My first solo show Young American! Curated by art historian Thomas Beachdel! From over 80k photos that I shot since I came to NYC – he made a selection of portraits of all the AMAZING people that I photographed for the gallery space at Czech Center New York. The opening is on June 28th 7-10PM and there will be special screening of over 200 photos just for the opening night! As an addition to prints that will be installed on the walls and HUGE video projection that will consist of two video pieces made specially for this show! It will be on view June 28 – August 10, 2018.
Favorite motto / quote : What doesn’t kill you, will make you stronger. With positive attitude, half work done.
