Other exhibitions

Three different stories, three different artistic expressions. Confronted with each other, they reveal common themes and motivations. Vera Janouskova, Eva Kmentova, Alina Szapocznikow present their exhibition. They all studied under Josef Wagner at Prague’s UMPRUM immediately after the war, and although their work each followed its own path, their art and their relationship to the world and the present day show clear parallels and correlations. Their distinctiveness, which grew out of the female experience, is expressed in three different ways of understanding the physical nature of this experience.

Informed by the cubist composition of forms, they in particular emulated the voluminous figures of Otto Gutfreund. Under the unmistakable influence of abstraction and informel, however, they moved away from statues and classic figures towards objects, only to return in a radical manner to the figure, now conceived as an object. They created assemblages, experimented with materials and invented new ways of using them.

In the 1960s, Szapocznikow became involved in the New Realism in Paris, while Janouskova and Kmentová helped to establish the New Figuration. They developed themes related to the figure, the body, imprints, traces, identity, birth and decline, ephemerality and permanence. Kmentová’s and Szapocznikow’s work in particular share a certain kinship, even though they are in some ways antithetical to each other. Both artists found a source of ideas and an important expressive tool in the human body, the parts of the body, the torso and imprints of the body, in particular their own bodies. The works of Szapocznikow and Janoušková, meanwhile, share a common use of found materials and mixed media, although Janoušková expresses her relationship to physicality with a greater level of abstraction.

Event: 31.07.2008 – 31.10.2008
Venue: Royal Summer Palace

Works by Austrian artist Gottfried Helnwein are now to be seen in the Rudolfinum Gallery on the exhibition entitled Angels sleeping. He is a phenomenon in the field of hyperrealistic painting.

Working in a technique of oil and acrylic painting, he makes extremely precise canvases of a big measure, based on photographs. Their topics are taken from history as well as from pop-culture and he also often deals with theme of a child in extreme situations.

The realistic look of painting is startling; he is very precise and technically extremely skilful. But the paintings look bit too strange… well, but I let you to make your opinion on your own, after the visit of the exhibition.

The exhibition lasts until 31st of August 2008. More informaion on Angels sleeping is here

The exhibition tells the tale of the main castle complex in the country and the people associated with it – from monarchs and presidents to nobility and courtiers, famous artists, builders, architects and scientists to craftsmen and servants. It is the story of a complex bearing the secret of the last resting place of the most important Czech princes and kings and patron saints of our country, of a place preserving the Czech crown jewels, St. Vitus’ Treasure, as well as a place representing a respectable residence of the head of the Czech Republic. The story begins in ancient history – in prehistory – and continues to the present time, recording more than 5,000 years, which mostly became fateful moments for Czech history and the history of all its inhabitants.

The main route leads through particular eras, to which are connected thematic branches – stories representing interesting items associated with Prague Castle, such as the Story of Coronation, Burial, Czech Patrons of the Church and Cathedrals. Part of the exposition is a special program for children, called Play Castle, and other interactive programs and projections.

Admission: Full 140 CZK : Reduced 70 CZK : Family 200 CZK

The Exhibition is open daily except 28.10 and 24.12, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the summer (1.4. – 31.10.) and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the winter (1.11. – 31.3.).

The entrance can be reached through the Third Courtyard and the North Courtyard. There is also an entrance from St. George’s Square.

Designers, artists and architects are the authors of the projects, according to which tapestries are created in the manufacture in Valsske Mezirici of Northern Moravia are created for more than 110 years.

The cross-section of the 20th century production is displayed until 21st September at the exhibition in the Decorative Arts Museum in Prague, just by Charles Bridge.

The exhibition introduces the founder of the manufacture for tapestries and hand-made carpets Rudolf Schlattauer (1861-1915) but also works of younger designers plus works of present tapestry artists.

The exhibition starts today in Umeleckoprumyslove Muzeum – The Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague and lasts until 21st September 2008.

The Italian art group Cracking Art introduces itself in the Prague museum Kampa in Sovovy Mlyny. The group from the North Italy city of Biela is joined of artists from various countries and installations for Prague called Re-evolution has such attractions like color dogs, crocodiles, rabbits and other super-sized animals.

The art objects were installed in the area of the gallery using a derrick and some can be quite well seen from the other side of Vltava river as well, such as the previously mentioned 3-metre tall red poodle. The exhibition takes place under the auspices of the Italian ambassador Pigliapoc and the Prague Mayor Pavel Bem. The location is Prague Kampa Park and it lasts until 12th October 2008.

Festival of contemporary and modern architecture, Architectureweek, exists in different forms almost in every European city except from Prague. Therefore the organizer Czech Architecture Week s.r.o. has decided to make a similar event. The festival will present Czech and foreign architecture to professional and non-professional public through various events – exhibitions, lectures, seminars, presentations, walks, cocktails, openings and others. Architectureweek is an opportunity for people of every age and every occupation to explore architecture and develop their knowledge about it.

Within its all-year program Architecture Year 2008, Czech Architecture Week company prepares from 18th to 20th June 2008 a film festival on architecture called Czech Architecture Week – Film Festival. Since wednesday to frifay, the non-commerical film festival for students and public. Opening time 10 – 18, free entry.

If you want to widen your knowledge about architecture, the festival takes place in Veletrzni palac in the new lifestyle, architecture and design spce Terminal. Programe and all the info you need here

Zbraslav chateau hosts a permanent exhibition of Asian art. The ground floor is mostly Japanese. Every room is supplied with a thorough, well- written commentary in Czech and English; each room is mostly devoted to a single theme, period or a major technique. The various influences are interesting, for example the similarities between 19th Century Japanese ceramics and the European art noveau decorations, or the very early hints of the comic- book style of drawing. There are some very old sheets with of a storyboard- like character, where a series of pictures tells the story of an ancient legend, the short comments written on a side.

The Chinese part is on the second floor. There you may see a quick walk through the country’s art from simple artifacts, buried with the deceased or later statues- guards of tombs to examples of Middle Ages and Modern Times painting and Buddhist sculptures. Buddhism naturally plays an important role in all parts of the exhibition. The supplied commentaries also provide a brief, but competent overview of Chinese history, as it is reflected in the creations of the eras. Continue reading on prague.net blog

Sculptures, statues and interior and exterior objects have filled Danube House and its surroundings at the Rohansky ostrov island. Exhibition of clause works have been opened by the students of sculpture at VSU (Prague Art University)

„Young artists have a chance to join the attractive surroundings of modern architecture with their art-pieces“ Said Marcela Stefcova from the organizing agency. The collection, named after the statement of Herakleit „You can’t cross the same river twice“ stays at Rohansky ostrov until the end of September.

The story of the famous ship waits for he visitors of the unusual exhibition, that moved to Prague from its previous destination in Brno, Budapest and the USA opens to visitors.

Titanic Artifacts that are there came in great number – over 300 exhibits, that were lifted from their watery grave. The authentic objects, from scenario of the tragedy which took lives of more than 1500 people on one April night of 1912, will take you back in time immediately.

19 million people have attended the exhibition worldwide, and the greatest emotions are always aroused by personal belongings of passengers, such as a suit-case, evening dress, top hat, music instruments or talismans. There are also pieces of luxurious porcelain, silver dippers or glasses.

The project was launched with help of RMS Titanic, the American company having exclusive licence for rescuing objects from the shipwreck.

Starts – 5th June, Ends – according to interest of visitors, Place – Lucerna, Great Hall, Prague. Open 10:00 – 21:00, tickets – 280-330 czk.

To went away from the mainstream and ruling conventions, not to be a subject to the art market, to create art for the value of the gesture, not for the monetary value of the object. Such is the idea of the exhibition of alternative contemporary art in Prague, which starts today, and continues until 14th September 2008.

One of the main ideas of this year is the statement, that the art value of an arpiece is not determined by the object itself, but by the gesture of the artist who created it. The example would be Marcel Duchamp, who in 1917 transported the industrially made pissoir into a show room, thus creating the first ready-made and aroused a debate of theoreticians about anti-art. In the end the Duchamp’s pissoir was labelled the most fundamental artpiece of the 20th century.

We previously informed you about the exhibition venue in the National Gallery, however other part of the exhibition is placed in Kinsky Palace.

This exhibition will be the first ever to present the wealth of art made in the Bohemian Lands in the first half of the nineteenth century. In this period, middle-class society created its own distinctive style of art and way of life. Reflecting the timeless values of temperance, practicality, and simplicity the style came to be called “Biedermeier” here and elsewhere in the Austrian Empire.

Nascent civil society sought inspiration in the traditional milieux of homeland, family, town, and nature. And the ideals emerged that were dear to Modern man –prosperity and personal responsibility. This impressive exhibition is an opportunity to provide a well-rounded picture of Biedermeier and to demonstrate its contribution to art, which is comparable to those of other great periods already presented at Prague Castle.

The exhibition is being organized by the Prague Castle Administration and the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague. 28th May 2008 – 28th September 2008. Venue: The Riding School of Prague Castle, U Prasneho mostu 3.

He got to the history of modern art especially by being the only potter in the famous Group 42. He was heavily influenced by the art of Otto Gurfeund and from the beginning of the 1930’s he created typically shaped cubist sculptures. The portrait production represents a continuous line from the early to late works – the most significant exhibits are present at the exhibition.

Ladislav Zívr / 1909–1980 Letohrádek královny Anny or Belvedere, Royal or Queen Anne’s Summer Palace at the Prague Castle. The exhibition starts 4th may and continues until 19th August. Tickets: 100 czk.

The never-ending processions were standing in the first May days in front of the gate to Valdstejnska Jizdarna of the Prague Castle. Even when the exhibition was prolonged. It was so awarded by the public, and than the exhibition about the famous leader of Thirty-years war was also awarded by museum experts themselves – it gained the special prize of the International Committee of museums ICOM, the prestigious competition musaealis, given by the Association of museum and galleries, together with the ministry of culture of the CR.

The preparations took 20 months, before the exhibition was ready. Curators of a few institutions – The military historic institute, National museum and Czech Senate. They managed to put together a unique set of one thousand two hundred items, connected to famous Valdstein. During the three months it welcomed 150 000 visitors.

The colors were all yellow, purple and blue, architecture was dynamic, shapes round, pictures of irregular geometrical shapes and shapes of Sputniks and rockets. Such was the Brussels style, the phenomena of the first half of the 60s of the past century. It influenced arts, industry, fashion and lifestyle in the former Czechoslovakia, and it inspires on.

Starting today, the new exhibition in Prague reveals a huge retrospective exhibition Bruselsky sen / Dream of Brussels in the Prague City Gallery of the Municipal Library.

The organizers managed to gather over 600 exhibits from Czech and Moravian museums and personal collections. The Exhibitions demonstrates, what have under the influence of phenomenal success started to change in a wave of interest for a new, modern lifestyle, furniture, arts and culture. Various critics are praising the exhibition, it is definitely worth seeing.

Source: kla, LN

The Exhibition in The Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague presents the choice of work of Christopher Dresser, the very important persona of design history. This man is often considered as the first significant designer at all. In the second half of the 19th century, there was a broad movement, which aimed to raise the aesthetic standard of objects that surround people in their everyday life. Those aesthetic standards were considered to be low, mainly because of the industrial production. That is why many participants of this movement tried to return to handiwork and old style of manufactures.

On the other hand, Christopher Dresser fully accepted the industrial devices and modern manufacturing methods and he was designing objects that were then manufactured in modern ways. That is why is considered as a “pioneer of modern design” as says the subtitle of the exhibition. His significant designs of metal teapots, soup tureens, toasts racks and other objects became very famous and his “handwrite” is easy to be recognized here. But he did not design only metal objects, but also pottery as well as furniture or wallpapers.

Read the whole article

Husty provoz (Dense Traffic) tries to close to the alternative art scene, where are many significant curator characters present, those who managed to hold our interest by their projects, often realized on the DIY basis (do-it-yourself), without financial support, advertisement or sponsorship. Their artistic activities reflect one of the characteristic trends of the present – interdisciplinarity.

The first we would like to present you is the Guma Guar project. It is an art-activist group based in Prague. Since their foundation in 2003 they deal with critique of the system and ironizing of the media world. They produce artpieces, experimental electronic music, they participate at freeparties, create streetart realizations.

The Exhibition takes place until 6th June. The non-conformist, free young art exhibition takes place in Prague, Old City hall at the Old Town Square.

Theme: Sex as a power instrument, woman as a misuse subject or clever manipulator

The possibilities of visual arts provoke us to unveil things that are usually out of scope of our everyday communication. Descriptive presentation, often criticised, is considered insufficient as far as projection of erotic motives is concerned. Rightly described affinity touches the boundaries of what is usually called pornography. But is not pornography the most natural visual language of all? Things that we are unable to reflect become taboo, but taboo has become something that is no longer respected today. And there is another interesting aspect of this ever present and absolute freedom – intimacy. How do we relate to intimacy in various presentations of erotic motives? Does intimacy still have a meaning for us when we can calculate it? And how important is morality for us after its definition has been made relative? It looks as if there was only a soft and indistinct boundary between art and pornography in the best works of art. Entering sexual relations we find ourselves within an intricate communication network supported by a dominant hierarchic structure and the important question: „Who is using who?“ There are not many Czech artists who would find this topic open and appealing.

Participating artists: Andy Warhol, Corinna Schnitt, Katarzyna Kozyra, Elke Krystufek, Lenka Klodová, Franz Kapfer, Mark Ther, Ondřej Brody, Petra Pětiletá, Roy Stuart, Veronika Drahotová. Curator: Pavel Humhal

The exhibition is not suitable for persons under the age of 18!

Roy Stuart’s film „The Lost Door“, 2007 – 2008, 120 min., will be shown in the gallery on Wednesdays and Fridays from 6 p.m. The film is in French with English subtitles.

Andy Warhol’s film „Women in Revolt“, 1971, 95 min., will be shown in the gallery on Thursdays and Saturdays from 6 p.m. The film is in English.

Gallerie Vaclava Spaly (Vaclav Spala Gallery), Narodni 30, Praha 1. 34th April -15th June 2008

The exhibition of Czech Crown Jewels drove to the end. The Prague Castle doors closed yesterday and at 6 pm, the jewels went back to the Crown Charmer in the Chram Sv. Vita (St. Vitus chapel) seven key makers will once again lock them for at least five years.

During the ten days of the exhibition, more than 30 thousands visitors came to see it. This means ten thousand people more than five years ago. The main reason is probably the exhibition was moved to larger Vladislavsky Sal, together with other interesting pieces which were uniquely exhibited.

Czech Egyptologists work has been going on for fifty years now. Those years of finding work are now exhibited in the Lichenstejnsky palac (Lichtenstein palace) at Kampa park.

It opened at 50th anniversary of Czech Egyptology institute and it is one of the many prepared events, which are prepared for this yer; The Year of Czech Egyptology.

The exhibition, presents the most precious pieces, found more than 20 years ago, when it was legal to take discoveries out of Egypt. Those are complemented with color photographers and a hour-long movie depicting the atmosphere from sites in Abusir.

The exhibition lasts until 27th April 2008

The Prague Castle opens its Vladislavsky sal, which hosts exhibition of Czech Crown jewels, this Saturday. So, what should you know when you want to go there?

The shortest entry road comes from the metro station A Malostranska and from the tram station 22, 23, 18, 12 and 20 of the same name. To come inside the hall is possible only by Old Castle Stairs which lead to the Southern Castle gardens and to the old entry.

To park close to the castle is quite hard to do, the best is to use the public transport. The maximal daily capacity is about 5000 people a day, the entry is free. What you should bear in mind, is that even when the exhibition is opened 9-17, at 11 am the gate will be closed, who stays outside, have to try the next day. So it is necessary to arrive at the Old Gate much before 9am.

At the exhibition it is forbidden to take pictures or use a tv camera.