An international exhibition of paintings called Arte Castell Bratislava, which is under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, is currently taking place at the Bratislava Castle. A great commotion was caused by the fact that the head of the department Martina Šimkovičová, ex-MP Romana Tabaková and MP Jana Vaľová (Smer-SD) were among the creators.
People’s reactions began to spread on social networks, which did not escape the attention of Šimkovičová. “I don’t even remember when I opened any article or conversation from the cultural environment, in which there wasn’t a desperate call for freedom in culture and art. Such, completely without borders, for everyone. After all, if it weren’t for me, culture would breathe completely freely and have no boundaries. This is a known thing,” said the minister on the social network.
However, according to her, freedom suddenly ends at the exhibition. “Among the artists who will be exhibiting are Šimkovičová, Tabaková and Vaľová. And that doesn’t suit the all-tolerant people all of a sudden. So they again ridicule, attack and deny everything that they are fighting for in those squares. Their call is a call for freedom in art, in culture…but for the chosen ones. The aforementioned trio cannot create freely. And to exhibit my works somewhere at all,” she responded.
She also added that she has been painting for years. For her, it is relaxation and a way to forget about ordinary worries. “However, I find it quite funny that, as the Minister of Culture, I recently have to defend, explain, even face ridicule for the fact that I have a relationship with art and that this is what fulfills me…added Šimkovičová.
The minister’s statements angered ex-superstar Jakub Petraník, who is her open critic. “I pissed myself a little,” responded the musician. “Allow me to make one personal observation. Despite the fact that I have been involved in music in various forms since I was a child, from singing, writing lyrics to my current profession, where I have been “coloring” various series and shows for 14 years, I have NEVER, NEVER allowed myself to call myself an ARTIST in any direct speech,” Penil Petraník.
He also explained the reason. “Not only because it is such a NOBLE PROFESSION to be an artist, but mainly because I often watch from below and with admiration many more talented people, whether from history or the present, who were gifted with something extraordinary, and I consider myself average in that regard. TUTO Martina does not shy away from calling herself an “artist” while crying. And so also Romča, who, I assume, brought a painting she made at some Easter workshop,” he harshly charged the politicians.
The musician also sent a message to the Minister of Culture. “Unkind Mata, it’s not enough to go to the ring. It’s not enough to steal Monet. To be an “artist” requires much more. Soul, talent and feeling. And we’re just getting started there. She really doesn’t love Maťa, it is not enough to rape the state castle and make an exhibition of her paintings. Not only are you not an artist, you’re not even a minister. And you write it on the door at work for nothing and you dress in silk,” concluded Petraník in one of his harshest posts.
