River-pool TATA
22 June – 15 July 2018
Lacus Felix, or the Lake of Happiness Having just returned from Italy, this remarkable spatial installation will change the Old Lake of Tata into a huge pool table during the Water, Music, Flower Festival. In the project Lacus Felix, or the Lake of Happiness – River- Pool in Tata the water surface gives only the illusion of the table’s green felt, but the balls are real. We could first admire the pool balls of Vincze Ottó’s River-pool installation rocking on the Danube in Szentendre. The outstanding piece of work was thereafter presented in Italy: during the 57 th Venice Art Biennale the installation at Venice was so successful that it attracted masses of people already at the beginning of the installation works by the waterfront. The giant water buoys turned into huge pool balls will similarly waver on the surface of Old Lake of Tata with the rhythm of the water, providing an excellent photo theme for the festival audience. In the current case, however, we adapted the masterpiece named ’water pool’ to the new environment in some of its details, while also guarding the original elements – explained the artist. The set gets complete with three white buoys with the Water, Music, Flower Festival logo on one side, and three archaic symbols on the other which are in connection with the town’s history. The century old markings refer to the three buzzwords of the festival.
“I caught sight of the immense pool table which can be seen in the Tata castle during a field trip that took place in spring. The antique artifact, originally created in London in the 19 th century, was used as a form of entertainment of the English stablemen serving the Esterházy. I was impressed by the table that is three times as enormous as the ones we use nowadays. I was indeed unable to separate this picture from the magnificent view of the lake’s surface from the castle windows that drew my attention. Last year at the Venice Biennale, my hosts set an antique pool table for the opening reception. This strange, reoccurring coincidence of the circumstances made me realize that River-pool had to be mounted on this lake, but with a very different aspect: I started to imagine the installation widely spread on the voluminous surface with the balls unconditionally dispersed. Everything is naturally given here for a greater installation. Instead of the dynamic motion that is the result of the underwater currents, it is the distance between the scattered balls, the extended constellation that will give the visual experience. The vibrant colours will playfully change the familiar look. The spatial installation entitled Lacus Felix, or the Lake of Happiness – River-Pool in Tata will thus reveal a refreshing sence of spontaneity and ease, nevertheless a generous elegance outside the prestigious monument.”
(Ottó Vincze)
