LANDSCAPES 2

"Beyond Seven Mountains, Beyond Seven Rivers..." Since ancient times, people have searched for a place where they feel they truly belong — often tied to where they were born and raised. Understanding where we come from helps explain who we are and how we act. Today, many feel disconnected, especially young people, as traditions fade and roots are lost. I chose the theme My Space because I, too, am searching for where I belong. It's an existential question tied to this turning point in my life — finishing my studies and beginning a life where I dream of living through art. For me, space can be both physical and inner. I grew up in South Moravia, a peaceful land near the White Carpathians, full of soft hills and colorful light. This shaped my sensitivity to nature, light, and color from a young age. I’ve always been drawn to calm, open landscapes — the quiet horizon of the Morava river valley feels like home. Our environment influences how we see the world. But as humans, we often take control over nature for granted. Droughts and floods remind us how fragile our position really is. We are not rulers of nature — we are part of it. We all form emotional bonds with places — places of rest, reflection, or return. These spaces carry a unique spirit, a genius loci, that changes as we do. In my search, I spent several months in Iceland — a land of raw and wild beauty that deeply moved me. For someone from a gentle continental landscape, Iceland's untamed nature felt like stepping into another world.