Never Ground
Natália Trejbalová presents Never Ground, a new site-specific video installation and set of objects, in the basement of Pálffy Palace. This work belongs to a series of videos, the central theme of which is the perception of our planet as a physical entity in constant evolution and transformation.
The project is inspired by science fiction stories about the subterranean world of Earth and recent scientific discoveries that connect cave exploration with space research. For example, astronaut training includes a caving course, where participants face conditions similar to those in space – navigating hostile environments, making critical decisions, and depending on teamwork.
The artist is also intrigued by the popularity of the flat Earth theory, which contrasts with how little we know about the underground spaces beneath us. Caves and cavities may hold clues about life in extreme conditions, inspiring exploration of other planets. On the Moon, scientists have discovered “pits” – possible lava tube skylights – that could serve as shelters for future lunar missions.
For her research, the artist collaborated with experts in planetary geology, astrobiology, speleology, and microbiology. The video explores the boundaries between real ecosystems and speculative fiction, combining footage of natural landscapes (such as a volcano on Vulcano Island, geothermal areas in Tuscany, and the Tavaran Grando cave in Veneto) with staged scenes built around sculptural objects. These objects create a continuous space-time path, including a crystalline tunnel, inspired by early sci-fi films using analogue effects, such as those by Karel Zeman.
The video’s structure is based on Jules Verne’s Journey to the Centre of the Earth (1864), where characters enter the Earth through a volcano in Iceland and emerge from Stromboli. Here, the artist reimagines the passage as a journey not just through Earth, but toward another cosmic body.
Finally, the video invites viewers to reflect on the metaphor of descending into the depths – perhaps even into one’s own inner world – as an adventurous exploration. This experience is enriched by vocal improvisation by singer Adele Altro, Trejbalová’s long-time collaborator.
Lýdia Pribišová – curator
