Ritual Paths

Collection by Pawel Mendrek

The "Ritual Paths" exhibition at Gallery Loft Acht in Vienna centers on the phenomenon of ritual dance—a practice that, for centuries, has straddled the boundary between pathological aberration, mystical rite, and cultural spectacle. In various ceremonies, dance served as a catalyst, releasing surplus energy and alleviating the tension of its participants. Across diverse traditions, it manifested not only as a codified set of protective gestures but also as a symbol of metamorphosis—a liminal state framed by ceremonies and celebrations that foster a sense of community and social order.

For years, these immersive dance ceremonies have captivated the imaginations of psychiatrists, psychologists, artists, writers, directors, and researchers alike, all of whom recognized the creative potential inherent in such movements. The avenues for interpreting this phenomenon remain inexhaustible. Rather than depicting the dance directly, the exhibition symbolically references it by exposing group ceremonies embedded in everyday life, with certain elements carrying political connotations.

Presented at:
Brick City Gallery, Springfield, Missouri
Art Bodensee Art Fair, Dornbirn
Loft Acht Gallery, Vienna

Pawel Mendrek, 2018

Correctness

€ 580
Drawing
70 x 50 x 0 cm
Graphite, Paper, and Pencil on Paper
Pawel Mendrek, 2018

Exercises

€ 580
Drawing
70 x 50 x 0 cm
Graphite, Paint, and Pencil on Paper
Pawel Mendrek, 2018

Initiation

€ 890
Drawing
100 x 70 x 0 cm
Graphite, Paper, and Pencil on Paper
Pawel Mendrek, 2018

Plant

€ 890
Drawing
70 x 100 x 0 cm
Graphite, Paper, and Pencil on Paper

Other artworks by Pawel Mendrek

Honey Land
Honey Land
Pawel Mendrek, 2023
€ 890
Plate
Plate
Pawel Mendrek, 2023
€ 890
Untitled
Untitled
Pawel Mendrek, 2018
€ 890
Untitled
Untitled
Pawel Mendrek, 2023
€ 990
Water
Water
Pawel Mendrek, 2019
€ 580
Confession Room
Confession Room
Pawel Mendrek, 2023
€ 450
You Go Your Way I Will Go Mine
You Go Your Way I Will Go Mine
Pawel Mendrek, 2023
€ 890

Other artist's artworks

Traces and Patterns 2
Traces and Patterns 2
Natalia Weiss, 2018
€ 463
Geometric Redux Study after Goya’s The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters
Geometric Redux Study after Goya’s The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters
Andre Brik, 2024
€ 295
Kitsune 狐
Kitsune 狐
Vinz Schwarzbauer, 2020
€ 590
desplomo
desplomo
Andrei Moldovan, 2023
€ 590
Shirime  尻目
Shirime 尻目
Vinz Schwarzbauer, 2020
€ 590
Selfie 7
Selfie 7
Natalia Weiss, 2019
€ 463
Blumen #1
Blumen #1
Natalia Weiss, 2020
€ 840
Water Flower 18
Water Flower 18
Saverio Tonoli, 2024
€ 750
4,5 Grad (Variation 5)
4,5 Grad (Variation 5)
Michael Wegerer, 2024
€ 457
sDots
sDots
Michael Wegerer, 2019
€ 870
Water Flower 03
Water Flower 03
Saverio Tonoli, 2024
€ 750
About The Weather 2
About The Weather 2
Hoa Luo, 2023
€ 240