While holidaying in Switzerland, I decided to step into the Museum of Digital Art, Zürich. For my luck, they were exhibiting Vera Molnar’s creations.
Once again, I didn’t know who Vera Molnar was until yesterday, Tuesday, the 3rd September 2019. The gorgeous girl who gave me a guided tour made a fake annoyed face when I said this to her.
Vera Molnár (born 1924) is a French media artist of Hungarian origin. She is considered a pioneer of computer art.
What inspired me apart from her Art
Vera Molnar is said to be 95 years old now, and she had started digital art about 60 years ago, with a device similar to below, with just basic electronic signals being sent to the device.
Of course this picture is a modern looking device, and probably not what she used, but hope you get the message
This was even before computers 💁♂️
Isn’t she awesome!!
And I was impressed by her lover’s interest in her art, where he spent time trying to understand what catches her eye, what inspired her, and what she considered beautiful.
Last but not least, I was told she got into art upon a heartbreaking break-up with a former lover.
I can so relate to this!!! 🤦♂️
How I saw her through her art
I was told that Vera Molnar loved to start off simple, but then to disturb the simplicity or break the rules. What I observed is, when the series of disturbances are exhibited together they tell us a beautiful story about the human mind.
Let me dive into the below series of her art.
Top left hand side corner is the piece of art she started off with.
This piece of art resembles the human mind and belief systems of a new born baby. Very structured and simple. Very simple needs and beliefs. I feel it has more feeling than emotions.
Then she gradually “disturbed” with slight disturbances.
This to me feels like the human mind adding various beliefs to itself, one at a time. Slowly loosing our original authentic self. But still resembles the “Child-like nature”
At some point the disturbances made the original form completely dissapear.
This to me says a story about how our beliefs change into a disturbed confusing mess! We can’t see any patterns. Of course the journey was beautiful, but the end product is not so pretty. It almost resembles a depressed state. Clouded!
Then she removes layer by layer of inc.
This to me resembles when One becomes aware of their mind. How one now attempts to be responsible, and look into all beliefs one at a time, and removing unnecessary, unhelpful mind patterns
Final product is quite different to the one she began with. Not so structured, but more Beautiful.
For me this resembles clarity, and authenticity. One can not erase their memories, and the past. But they learn from it. They grow. They become at peace with who they’ve become and they thank their journey.
The exact point when the disturbances go out of control
My lovely guide and I was having a lovely conversation about the below piece of work.
She mentioned:
I never can see the exact point when it starts to get messy.
I of course had to bring it back to the human beliefs. I believe this happens when a child goes through huge hormonal shifts.
Their Body says one thing.
Their Beliefs have no information about what the body says.
Their Parents say another thing.
Their teachers say yet another thing.
Their Friends say many other things.
Their society, social networks say a lot more!
I feel like the child is confusingly layering various contradicting thoughts, beliefs, and mind patterns here. And that unmanaged disturbed collection of mind patterns is what we call Adults. And they rule the world!
Lovely! 🤦♂️
It doesn’t mean all adults are like this. But it would be best if adults become somewhat self aware and somewhat emotionally intelligent before they became parents, teachers, or leaders.
My Thanks
Dear Vera Molnar,
It was an absolute blessing to see you through your art. We may never meet, but I feel like we already have.
I loved the below pieces of art as they capture the first letter of the first name of my mother and myself.
Thank you so much for your hard work and expressions.
Love you,
– Nim –
A Moment with Nim! 