Tisztás

Zalán Szakács received a contribution to develop the project Tisztás: a multisensory installation about ecology and folk tales from Transylvania, Zalán's native land. The experience tells the story of the wandering light, an illusionary light source that seems to appear over swampy areas. In Transylvania, local villages have lived with this phenomenon for generations, and so the wandering light is an important source of myths and stories. Due to deforestation, these landscapes are disappearing and with them an important aspect of local culture. Through light, sound, smell, water and mist, Tisztás takes the audience into this myth, underscoring the importance of preserving both ecological and cultural heritage.

Zalán is an installation artist, researcher and teacher based in Rotterdam. In his practice, he explores the relationship between space, perception and technology, resulting in multi-sensory experiences consisting of elements such as light, sound, smell, time, tangibility and movement. For each project, he works closely with scientists and researchers, filmmakers, artists, sound designers and local communities. In addition to his artistic practice, he has been core lecturer of the time-based minor at HKU Media in Utrecht since 2023.