Kati Kulcsar: February 2010

Expectations

Reservation. Quietness. Weddings. Politeness. Etiquette. Pretending. Black tie affairs. Holidays. Holding back. Best behavior. Gatherings. Best clothing. Big nights. Formal occasions. Sunday best. Prom. Dressed to impress. The moments we wait for. Cherished moments. Nights to remember. Living the dream…

I really found the idea of etiquette silly and frustrating when I started planning my wedding. I learned of so many rules about things I had never cared about or even thought about. This led me to think about etiquette in a sarcastic manner.

In my paintings, I am currently dealing with relationships between people, how people act around others, and how people act when they are alone. Etiquette is a subject that doesn’t normally apply to most people (or our manners are not usually brought to such an obvious extreme within our every day culture), except in certain circumstances. Not everyone needs to follow the rules of etiquette on a daily basis, but rules of etiquette are followed by almost everyone during parties and holiday celebrations. People on their best behavior, in their best clothes, their Sunday best, have always been fascinating to me.

I have always been intrigued by herd mentality- that many people like to not think and instead just follow. Follow others, follow the rules, and give up thinking for yourself.

So dumb these rules are, but perhaps it becomes comfortable and familiar to do something in the way you are accustomed to doing it. It becomes ritual, and is expected.

A visual spectacle is created because of the unusual formality, and much emphasis is placed it. You need to be on your best behavior.