The Artistic Odyssey of Bela Borsodi Birth Life Death Exhibition

Bela Borsodi having fun with artist Pia Dehne with his Unicorn book outside the Corner Gallery in Andes

ANDES — Bela Borsodi is a contemporary artist whose creative journey spans continents, mediums, and disciplines. Born in Vienna, Austria, Borsodi's artistic exploration began with a foundation in Graphic Design, a path that eventually led him into the realms of Fine Arts, particularly photography. Under the guidance of mentor Ernst Caramelle, Borsodi honed his skills and vision, ultimately earning a Master of Fine Arts from the esteemed University of Applied Arts in Vienna.

Photography emerged as the quintessential medium for Borsodi to weave together his eclectic artistic interests. With an eye for composition and a penchant for storytelling, he embarked on a transformative journey that would see him relocate to the bustling metropolis of NYC in 1992. It was here that Borsodi's artistic identity began to flourish, finding resonance in the vibrant energy and diversity of the city.

In 1999, Borsodi made a significant pivot in his artistic practice, honing his focus on still-life photography. This genre became a cornerstone of his work, allowing him to explore the interplay of objects, space, and narrative within meticulously crafted compositions. What sets Borsodi apart is not just his ability to capture captivating imagery but his propensity for hands-on engagement in every aspect of his creative process. From conceptualization to execution, he often takes on the role of set designer, meticulously crafting environments that serve as the backdrop for his photographic narratives. 

The very accomplished artist Jeff Bliumis is the owner of the Corner Gallery who shared that upon Borsodi agreeing to put together a series of his work for the Andes show, it took Borsodi six months to complete his current series titled ‘Birth, Life, Death’. When Borsodi is asked about how this exhibition came to be, “I know Jeff and Alina Bliumis for quite while now through mutual friends, we became close friends and Jeff asked me a while ago if I would like to show my work at the corner gallery. Of course this was exciting to me and I showed him the project which I was working on at the time, when it was still in the beginning and in its conceptual phase- he liked it and then i got more into working on it which resulted in this show. I was totally free to do anything I like , it is a true pleasure to work with him, and I am thankful for making this happen.”

 Borsodi describes himself and the process of this series, “I’m kind of a heavy guy. I like to think about things. Some of them have philosophy, psychology, criticisms, and some have historic references behind it.” In our interview Borsodi retrieves a large handful of documents containing intricate detailed diagrams and experimental concepts as each piece evolved and came to life. The words used in each are an in-camera, Borsodi explains, “The are three dimensional letters that makes the words objects themselves.”  The irony of this interview was that Borsodi began the conversation by saying, “I took on this project because I wanted to do something quick and easy.” The complexity of his studies to come up with each concept is both fascinating and thorough well beyond the average intuitive artist aesthetics. 

Collaboration has been a defining aspect of Borsodi's career, as he has worked closely with international magazines and renowned brands, bringing his unique vision to a global audience. His photographs transcend mere visual aesthetics, often delving into the realms of conceptual photography art, where every element within the frame carries symbolic weight and narrative resonance.

During the opening reception Borsodi was flipping through his Unicorn book with a local artist Pia Dehne as they laughed with each other. Borsodi expands on the significance of humor in his art, “To me “humor” is a very serious business, it is a lot of work. Why humor? Well, I believe it is a great way to communicate ideas to people, often people can relate easier and less guarded. work with humor likely touches people in a more personal direct manner, perhaps with more ease? Humor to me is never shallow, quite on the contrary it is perhaps possible to get much deeper than with some clear straight messages. Humor is something like a lubricant, and it is difficult because if you don’t use it well you run the risk of losing the message to become just silly, which is worse than what a straight message might do. Also, it demands a lot of your own personality, through humor the artist also exposes him/her self in a very intimate way. Many of my favorite artists and artworks show humor and thereby touch very deep issues and subjects.”

Borsodi's artistic endeavors have not been confined to the realm of digital and print media. He has also ventured into the world of publishing, with notable works including Unicorn, published in collaboration with Libraryman in 2018, and "Phytophile," released through Dashwood Books in 2019. These publications serve as tangible expressions of Borsodi's artistic vision, offering viewers an intimate glimpse into his imaginative universe. 

The Unicorn series being a form of a puzzle style of art, Borsodi helps us understand the difference in his current works from ‘Birth, Life, Death’, “In my new projects it is a very different exploration as I focus on the “quality” of things as a communicator for emotions, iconic perception, and their “psychology” - the words being phrases or statements in relation to them, they can contradict, confirm challenge their presence or also becoming banal - this is a very different interaction than in unicorn.”

As Bela Borsodi continues to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of contemporary art, one thing remains abundantly clear: his artistic odyssey is characterized by a relentless pursuit of innovation, creativity, and storytelling. Through his mastery of diverse mediums and his unwavering commitment to artistic exploration, Borsodi invites viewers to embark on a journey of discovery, where the boundaries between reality and imagination blur, and the possibilities are as limitless as the human imagination itself. 

This exhibition will be showing through June 23rd. 

For more information see: www.thecornergallery-andes.com and www.belaborsodi.com