The summer exhibition by internationally acclaimed artist Ekaterina Zacharova at the HypoVereinsbank in Rottach-Egern has attracted art enthusiasts with her compelling collection titled 'Human Being Mosaic.' The exhibition showcases 27 paintings depicting people in everyday situations across various countries, all created in a uniform 60-by-60-centimeter format. This standardized size and relatively small format represents a departure from Zacharova's typical work, marking a notable artistic evolution for the celebrated painter.

The opening reception for the eleventh summer exhibition drew approximately 70 visitors on Wednesday evening, transforming the bank's converted gallery spaces into a vibrant cultural hub for local art lovers and tourists visiting the Tegernsee Valley. Guests were welcomed by Iris Ihßen and Thomas Friemel from HypoVereinsbank, while smooth jazz sounds from Bernhard Stahuber's 'Swing it up' combo provided the perfect ambiance alongside fine appetizers and prosecco.

The paintings are strategically hung in a single line at the same height along the differently colored walls, creating the visual impression of train windows through which viewers can glimpse real life and the current moods of people in diverse societies. Art historian and keynote speaker Andrea Kühnhackl noted that while the works appear to be momentary snapshots, they actually tell complete stories about people, their relationships, and their emotional states.

Kühnhackl emphasized a striking characteristic of Zacharova's work: all the people depicted in the paintings are absorbed in their own thoughts, focused on themselves rather than communicating with others. This artistic choice invites viewers to formulate their own narratives about each piece. She challenged the audience to consider the stories behind specific works, asking questions such as: What connects or separates the woman and man in the Turin bar depicted in 'Jealous?, Turin'? What story unfolds in 'Tutto bene?, Palermo'? What relationship exists between the two cyclists in 'Do we know each other?, Copenhagen'? And what drives the night revelers in Brussels?

The art historian praised Zacharova's technical mastery, particularly her ability to draw viewers directly into the paintings through her distinctive brushwork that shapes physiognomies and her exceptional sense of color. Through her color choices, viewers immediately understand which city they're observing, what time of day it is, and what weather conditions prevail. Kühnhackl explained that Zacharova subordinates traditional perspective to serve her artistic message, transforming everyday life observations into sensory experiences that reveal not only people's emotional states but the entire diversity of human existence.

The exhibition features compelling individual pieces that demonstrate Zacharova's keen eye for human behavior and social dynamics. Among the notable works is 'Old white men, Salzburg,' which depicts an Asian woman taking a selfie with her phone in front of the Saints Peter and Paul statues on Salzburg's cathedral square. Another piece, 'Semester break, Munich,' shows a female student walking past young men near the opera house. 'After the Rain, Paris' captures a man with a cigar sitting on a rain-soaked bench in the French capital.

The remaining 29 paintings from Zacharova's complete 56-piece collection are simultaneously being displayed in a sister exhibition at the HypoVereinsbank in Rosenheim, allowing art enthusiasts in both locations to experience different aspects of her comprehensive exploration of human nature. Kühnhackl concluded her remarks by quoting philosopher Georg Simmel: 'What we commonly call the image of man, and what we actually believe we see, is much more and much less than his real visibility.'

Visitors to the opening reception spent considerable time examining the intricate details and emotional depth captured in each painting, reflecting on the universal human experiences depicted across different cultures and settings. The exhibition continues to draw attention for its unique perspective on contemporary life and its ability to encourage viewers to contemplate their own observations and interpretations of human behavior in everyday situations.