Szilard Gaspar: The Intersection of Performance, Sports, and Sculpture

Szilard Gaspar is an artist from Romania whose work represents a unique fusion of performance and sports. And I love it! The other day, I caught up with him over zoom while he was at his studio in Transylvania. Our conversation delved into the deep connections between his personal history and his creative practice.

A Legacy of Boxing

Szilard's journey is profoundly influenced by his family background. His father, a dedicated boxer and boxing coach, imparted not only the technical skills of the sport to Szilard but also the discipline and philosophy behind it. This legacy continued with Szilard himself becoming a professional boxer and now, like his father, a boxing coach. The essence of boxing—its rhythm, its impact, and its raw physicality—permeates his art.

Performance as a Physical Endeavor

One of the most striking aspects of Szilard’s work is its performative nature. His performances are a visceral experience, bridging the gap between the viewer and the art through physicality and endurance. In one performance, Szilard hangs from a trapeze-like bar while another boxer punches him repeatedly in the stomach. This act is a demonstration of strength and a commentary on resilience and vulnerability.

The Art of Punching Clay

My most favorite work by Szilard are his clay sculptures. These sculptures are not created through the traditional methods of carefully molding and shaping by hand. Instead, Szilard sets up large amounts of clay and punches them. The process is structured much like a boxing match: he sets a timer, and the punching takes place in rounds. This method transforms the act of creation into an intense physical engagement, where the outcome is dictated by the energy and force of his punches.

Szilard's approach to his clay sculptures is one of relinquishing control. He told me he does not predetermine the final aesthetic of his work; instead, he lets the punches land where they may. This spontaneous and unpredictable process results in pieces capture the essence of the energy exerted upon them.

Engineering the Performances

The largest of Szilard’s pieces are reserved for performances, where the clay is held in place by complex structures he engineers himself. These structures are designed to withstand the impacts of his punches and to support the fresh clay as it hangs on the wall. The engineering behind these setups is intricate, ensuring that the clay remains in place during the performance but can be easily taken down once the performance concludes. This interplay between art and engineering highlights the meticulous planning that underpins the apparent chaos of his work.

Energy and Matter

At the core of Szilard's sculptures is the exploration of what energy does to matter. Each punch impacts the surface of the clay, creating chaotic shapes and textures. His sculptures are monochromatic and emphasize the forms and indentations created by his fists. This focus on form over color draws attention to the physical act of creation and the tangible results of exerted energy.

Szilard’s choice of monochromatic clay underscores the raw physicality of his process. The absence of color shifts the viewer's focus to the textures and forms generated by the punches. These forms are a direct result of the energy and force applied, creating a visual record of the performance. The monochromatic nature of the sculptures also adds a timeless quality.

Conclusion

Szilard Gaspar’s work is a compelling blend of performance art and sculpture, deeply rooted in his background as a boxer. His unique process of creating clay sculptures through punching encapsulates the raw energy and physicality of his performances. By relinquishing control over the final aesthetic, Szilard allows his work to be a pure expression of energy’s impact on matter.