The work of Mark Ther (*1979) is closely connected to the Telegraph space. He has made his mark there in the past with his distinctive solo exhibition May from 2022, completed an artist residency here, and has also contributed to the architectural design of other exhibition projects (Signal III: Masterpieces from the Robert Runták Collection,Connection). His unmistakable handwriting consisting in the ability to build strongly atmospheric and immersive environments is now fully showed in Prague's SPOT Gallery. Here, under the curatorial direction of Erika Kovačičová, he presents his latest exhibition.
A new installation entitled Šléfstn? Are you asleep? has transformed the local exhibition space into an intimate salon. At the heart of the exhibition are drawings of sleeping boys set in natural scenery. The overall atmosphere is completed by heavy fabric draperies reminiscent of historical interiors. Unconventional objects, such as a dragonfly sculpture or hen motifs, are also part of the scene, adding an absurd and unexpected accent to the otherwise peaceful installation. The main observer of this microworld is the viewer himself. The figures in the drawings are oblivious to their surroundings, prompting a single question: Šléfstn?
The word Šléfstn is a phonetic transliteration of the Sudeten German term for "Are you asleep?". Working with language, disappearing dialects and the cultural memory of Central European space is absolutely defining for Mark Thera. Winner of the Jindřich Chalupecký Award in 2011, he has been dedicated to reviving forgotten stories and aesthetics of the early twentieth century. However, his works are not mere historical documents. The artist purposefully extracts grotesque paradoxes and petty dramas from contemporary narratives, using the past as a visual backdrop to explore timeless human conditions.
In his current exhibition, he focuses on the vulnerability of sleep and rest. He answers the question "Are you asleep?" there is no clear-cut answer because any response would imply that the interviewee is not sleeping. However, if the response does not come, a visual and psychological tension is created. Thus, the artist opens up the theme of the thin line between an innocent nap and the final departure, which gives the whole installation a melancholic dimension.
Ther's sensitivity for composition works like a lens examining every twitch of the human face. He captures the characteristics of individual sleepers through the precise details of his drawings. Attention is paid to mouths agape, bodies leaning casually against a tree trunk, and arms folded under the head to create comfort. The clothing depicted is relaxed as are the figures' muscles, while the occasional frown suggests restless sleep. Every fold of cloth and every shadow has a precise place on the paper.
Through this approach, Mark Ther places the visitor in a specific role. By entering the gallery, the viewer becomes an unobtrusive observer who gradually becomes an intruder into the intimacy of the figures on display. The space of the exhibition plays with perception, forcing one to slow down so as not to disturb the peace of those who may only be asleep. You only have to ask.
The exhibition can be visited until May 24 2026.
