Biography
Kosta Tonev (1980 Plovdiv, Bulgaria) received a BA from the National Academy of Art in Sofia and an MA from the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna. His recent solo exhibitions include "EXPO" at Kluckyland in Vienna (2018), "K." at Pistolet Gallery in Sofia (2015) and "The Heavenly Bodies, Once Thrown Into a Certain Definite Motion, Always Repeat" at GEMAK in The Hague (2013). Amongst others, he has participated in "So Far, So Right: A Study of Reforms and Transitions Across Borders" at Kuandu Museum of Fine Arts in Taipei, Taiwan (2018), "Black Quarry" at Corner College in Zurich (2017), "I and the Others" at Museum der Moderne Salzburg in Salzburg (2014), the "5th Biennial of Young Artists" in Bucharest, "Contemporary Icons" at the Webster University in St. Louis, USA, "Why Duchamp?" at the Museum for Contemporary Art in Sofia (2012), "ArteCittà" at Cittadellarte - Fondazione Pistoletto in Biella, Italy (2011). Tonev also curated the exhibition "It's About Time" at the e-flux Time/Bank in The Hague (2013).
About
My work traces the relationship between the private micro-narrative and the larger political context. Bringing together the traditions of conceptual art with the materiality of classical artistic genres and media, it establishes visual references to recognizable themes related to cinema, museum displays, radio broadcasts, book illustrations etc. I develop my works in series, in which the individual pieces share a common narrative. Often these narratives draw upon history as a source of metaphorical and genealogical interpretations of the present. My aim is to link the personal to the political, and the political to the poetic.
- Kosta Tonev
Gallery
Kosta Tonev
Wilfred Wyman, 2017.
Installation
Details
- Photographer: Kosta Tonev
- Material: object and sound installation
- Sizes: 23 min, variable dimensions
- Description: Wilfred Wyman is an object and sound installation, which constructs and narrates the life story of the fictional, late-Victorian artist Wilfred Wyman (1859-1939). Set against the backdrop of actual, historical events, Wyman’s life witnessed the scientific developments following the breakthroughs of Darwinian biology. Connecting multiple layers of time the character’s viewpoint puts into perspective the decades-long political and biopolitical concern for the human subject to trace its social impact throughout the first half of the 20th century and beyond.
The work combines a collection of physical objects, both fictional and authentic, with a sound piece, narrated by Andrew Golder with music by Carlo Costa. - References: Follow the link to listen to the audio: https://soundcloud.com/user-855162358/wilfred-wyman
Kosta Tonev
Disarmament, 2017.
Video Art
Details
- Material: video
- Sizes: 1 min 30 sec
- Description: The video captures peasant workers disposing of their farming tools following the order of a military disarmament. Referencing the peasant revolts of the late Middle Ages, which were largely a reaction to the climate, technological and labor changes of the time, the video raises questions about the present and future of work and social struggles.
Kosta Tonev
The Heavenly Bodies, Once Thrown into a Certain Definite Motion, Always Repeat, 2013.
Drawing
Details
- Photographer: Kosta Tonev
- Material: pencil on paper
- Sizes: 100 x 75 cm (each)
- Description: The project looks at cycling as a metaphor for the cyclical nature of world economy. Economic cycles (or waves) are characterized by periodic crises followed by shifts in the modes of production. Born amid the recession of the 1970s the bicycle messenger embodies the core principals, which are to define labor in the current techno-economic paradigm. The artist takes on the role of a real-life courier, and intervenes in the relations of production. The project marks the 40-year anniversary of the recession of 1973-75, and implicitly raises questions about its resonance for the present moment.
Kosta Tonev
Death of a Cyclist, 2013.
Video installation
Details
- Photographer: Kosta Tonev
- Material: video
- Sizes: 3 min 5 sec
- Description: The project examines cycling as a metaphor for the cyclical nature of world economy. Economic cycles (or waves) are characterized by periodic crises, followed by shifts in the modes of production. Born amid the recession of the 1970s the bicycle messenger embodies the core principals, which are to define labor in the current techno-economic paradigm. The artist takes on the role of a real-life courier, and intervenes in the relations of production. The project marks the 40-year anniversary of the recession of 1973-75, and implicitly raises questions about its resonance for the present moment.
Kosta Tonev
The Heavenly Bodies, Once Thrown into a Certain Definite Motion, Always Repeat, 2013.
Mail Art
Details
- Photographer: Kosta Tonev
- Material: lightbox
- Width: 10.50 cm Height: 518.00 cm Depth: 16.00 cm
- Sizes: 16 x 10,5 x 518 cm
- Description: The project looks at cycling as a metaphor for the cyclical nature of world economy. Economic cycles (or waves) are characterized by periodic crises followed by shifts in the modes of production. Born amid the recession of the 1970s the bicycle messenger embodies the core principals, which are to define labor in the current techno-economic paradigm. The artist takes on the role of a real-life courier, and intervenes in the relations of production. The project marks the 40-year anniversary of the recession of 1973-75, and implicitly raises questions about its resonance for the present moment.