The 13th Exhibition: 2020.7.11 - 2022.1.3
Cesky Krumlov
The town of Cesky Krumlov is a World Heritage Site surrounded by the Vltava River (the Moldau). As the town was able to survive numerous wars since its founding in the 14th century, orange-roofed houses remain from the Middle Ages, which contrast vividly with green hills that spread beyond, leading many to label this the world's most beautiful town. Around town, you will find illusionistic paintings everywhere, even at the castle. Although it is said this was a desperate measure taken due to the town's financial difficulties at the time, these trompe l'oeil paintings give the townscape a unified feel -as if straight out of a picture book, and invite visitors to a fairy-tale world.
Bohemian Paradise
Bohemian Paradise is a scenic area famous for oddly shaped rocks that have been formed by weathering and erosion. Famous points include the Prachov Rocks, innumerable rows of giant rocks that contain 6-million-year-old strata. Other notable features include the Kost Castle, a 14th-century castle built atop a sandstone, and the Trosky Castle Ruins that consist of two towers located on the summits of two rocks. They are reminders of how the Slavs, who migrated from the Carpathian Mountains around the 6th century, were able to flourish in this vast nature. In this work, the original landscape of Medieval Bohemia is represented by combining people's livelihood and majestic nature from the olden days.
Spis Castle and the Mongol Invasion
Located in Eastern Slovakia, the Spis Castle was built in the 13th century as a defensive fort against the invasion of the Mongol Empire. Their dreaded army, considered the world's strongest at the time, combined overwhelming force with clever tactics - especially by utilizing their stout horses and compact yet powerful bows. Fortunately, the castle was able to withstand the invasion attempts. In the subsequent years, various constructions were done to make the Spis Castle one of Europe's largest castles. Sadly, a fire destroyed the castle in 1780. Ever since, it has been unoccupied and remains a ruin.
Juraj Janosik
Slovakia's legendary hero, Juraj Janosik, was an actual historical highwayman from the early 18th century. According to the legend, he led a group of bandits who stole from the rich to give to the poor. His actions were hailed as bringing equality to the society and embraced by the common people. Eventually he is caught, falsely accused of murder, and executed. However, Janosik remains a hugely popular character to this day. His figure can be seen everywhere in Slovakia, such as in movies, as an embroidery pattern, and as a subject of folk dance performances.
Prague Astronomical Clock and Sedlec Ossuary
This clock tower, built in the 15th century, is located in Prague's Old Town. The clock's upper component is an astronomical dial which shows the locations of the sun and moon. The lower part is a calendar that shows the constellations and farm work done during the four seasons. Either sides and the top is adorned with various statues of Christian saints and ones depicting the cardinal sins. This elaborate astronomical clock is one of Prague's most renowned spots. Furthermore, you can find a number of churches where human bones are used for decorations all over the Czech Republic. This work incorporates one of these structures: Sedlec Ossuary's famous wall decoration and skeletons are engraved all around the clock tower.
Master Jan Hus and His Execution by Fire
Jan Hus is a Czech theologian and reformer who in the 14th century began to openly criticize aspects of the church, which held absolute political power at the time. He gave his sermons in vernacular (Czech) so that the common people could understand it. As his message's popularity grew, the church authorities became increasingly agitated and fearful. Eventually in 1415, they had Hus arrested and burned to death for heresy. Huss' refusal to recant, even in the face of death, was greatly influential to his followers who began to call themselves the Hussites.
The Prophecies of Princess Libuse
It is said that Czech was once ruled by a wise, beautiful queen and prophet named, Libuse. One day as she took a stroll near the Vltava River, she had a vision of a great castle standing on a nearby hill. She told the others of her prophecy and ordered a castle to be built there. When completed, she named the castle, Prague. This tale of how the castle and city of Prague began has long been cherished by the Czech people. In this work, the story is depicted in the style of Czech-born Art Nouveau artist, Alphonse Mucha.
Rudolf Ⅱand Culture of the Renaissance
Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II is accredited with cultural development of Prague. A member of the powerful Habsburg Family, he used his authority and wealth to gather and foster artists, scientists, and alchemists from all over Europe, including Giuseppe Arcimboldo and John Dee. He displayed their works, as well as, other unique items collected from around the world in a special collection room at the castle. Through his endeavor, the Renaissance movement takes hold in Prague and the city later becomes famous for its arts and sciences.
Prague Castle
It is said that Prague Castle is the largest and oldest castle in the world. According to the legend, it was built at current location by the Vltava River in 870, following Libuse's prophecy. The castle continued to evolve afterwards, and developments were especially dramatic under the reign of Charles IV. As the castle avoided major damages from numerous wars, architectural styles such as Gothic and Rococo and others from the Medieval period onward have survived. In addition, this castle was the location for many historical events in Czech history. Because of this unique architecture and history, Prague Castle and the surrounding town were registered as a World Heritage Site in 1992. At night, streets are lit up and the castle's reflection in water is seen as a symbol of Czech.
Charles Bridge and Landscape of the Vltava River
Listed as a World Heritage Site, Charles Bridge is a stone bridge that links Prague Castle and Old Town. It was built in the 14th century under Charles IV, who also laid the foundation for much of current Prague, including the city planning and founding of a university. On either sides of the river, Gothic-style bridge towers were built that matched the architectural style of the bridge. The balustrades on both sides were lined with 30 statues of saints, including St. John of Nepomuk and St. Francis Xavier. In addition to the bridge, the Vltava River itself is endeared and holds cultural significance. It is featured famously in the Czech composer, Bedřich Smetana's collection of symphonic poem, "Má vlast" ("My homeland"). For many Czechs, the sight of Charles Bridge over the Vltava River is a beloved symbol of their homeland.
Alchemy in Prague
The main aim of alchemy is to transmute metals into gold. Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II, an ardent devotee of this art, brought in alchemists from all over Europe to his court in Prague. It is said that in addition to gold, their interests included attempts to create substances such as elixir of immortality and love potion. However, such experiments often involved danger, as processes like melting and distilling required the use of fire, and thus sometimes resulted in explosions. Even up to this day, you will find traces of these alchemical experiments in the Old Town Quarters: remains of laboratories filled with rows of chemicals and books, and underground stone tunnels that expand beneath the streets.
The Golem and the Jewish Quarter
Golems are creatures of ancient Jewish folklore, and their name originates from Hebrew language, meaning "embryo". In the most famous legend, Rabbi Loew is said to have created one of these clay creatures who are obedient only to their creator's commands. However, the rabbi accidently breaks one of the rules to enslave the golem, which causes it to become uncontrollably violent. Thus the rabbi has no choice but to turn the golem back into clay. Its remains are said to be stored in the attic of the Old New Synagogue in Prague up to this day. Allegedly, this legend took place in Prague's Jewish Quarter, and with its synagogue and the Jewish cemetery, crammed densely with tombstones, this area is engulfed by a mystical and enchanting atmosphere.
Wild Animals in Central Europe
From the Tatra Mountains in Slovakia to the Bohemian Forest in the Czech Republic, Central Europe is home to vast natural landscapes. The primeval forests of these areas are designated as national parks, and inhabited by a large number of wild animals. Hares and red foxes bustle about, and majestic deer emerge from deep inside the woods. Owls and bats flutter about at night, cutting through the darkness with their wings, and lynxes lurk in the shadows with glowing eyes. The distant howling of wolves reverbrates through the air, and the animals continue their night under the moonlit sky.
The Defenestration of Prague
Through its history, Prague has seen a number of curious incidents of defenestration, an act of throwing someone out of a window. They were results of the growing discontent of Protestant activists at Catholic oppression. Especially the Second Defenestration of Prague in 1618 is well-known as a trigger of the Thirty Years' War that involved all of Europe. This sculpture depicts the First Defenestration in 1419, which lead to the Hussite War. Through the sculptor's imaginative use of inverted perspective, you will feel the dynamic and tension of this historical scene.
Literature of Franz Kafka
The Czech novelist Franz Kafka was born into a Jewish family in Prague and wrote his novels while working as a normal company employee. In his best-known works, "The Metamorphosis", "The Trial", and "The Castle", he expresses themes such as loneliness, anxiety, and absurdity in combination with a surreal worldview. Although Kafka was virtually unknown during his lifetime, his works received public attention after his death, and he is now one of the 20th century's most acclaimed writers. In this sculpture, you will see his self-portrait as well as the cover-picture of "The Metamorphosis", along with its most famous scene in which the main character wakes up one morning to find himself transformed into an insect.
Musicians of the National Revival
One driving force behind the independence of Czechoslovakia in 1918 was the Czech National Revival movement, which started in the late 18th century with the aim of reviving the Czech national identity. Composers such as Bedrich Smetana, who composed patriotic pieces like "Ma vlast" and has been regarded as the father of Czech music, Antonín Dvorak, who composed the Symphony No. 9, "From the New World", and Leos Janacek, who composed the opera "Jenufa", all created pieces that incorporated Czech scenery and traditional music, and thus inspired the revival movement. Perhaps this strong sense of patriotism was the trigger for the Prague Spring, where people stood up against the socialist rule.
Velvet Revolution and Modernization
Czechoslovakia had become a socialist country under the influence of the Soviet Union after the end of World War II. Following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, demonstrations were held in Czechoslovakia, calling for a regime change. Overwhelmed by this uprising, executives of the Communist Party resigned their posts, and thus the era of socialism ended. It is called the Velvet Revolution because of its non-violent and bloodless nature. Overcoming the defeat of the Prague Spring in 1968, Czechoslovakia was reborn as a democracy headed by Vaclav Havel, the leader of the Velvet Revolution. As a symbol of this new era, the building nicknamed "Dancing House" was erected in Prague. At the time, its unusual architectural design, resembling a pair of male and female dancers, was very controversial. However today it is one of the most famous landmarks of the city.
Three-Headed Dragon
Dragons, which appear in legends all over Europe, are indispensable in Czech stories as well. Particulary famous is the story in which a three-headed dragon rampaging through town is defeated by a knight. As a reward, the knight gets married to the lady he saved. This tale was made into a movie and puppet play, and like similar fables, serves as a bedtime story for children. Although dragons are mostly villains in these stories, they have always been very popular.
Puppet Show and Marionettes
Czech puppetry was added to the list of World Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2016. The puppets used in the theater are marionettes, operated from above using strings. Plays were originally performed only by traveling entertainers, but since they used the language spoken by the general public around the time – the Czech language – puppetry joined the trend of the National Revival movement, and the plays became more and more popular throughout the country. In current Prague, streets are lined with shops and theaters specialized in marionettes, and plays about operas, fairy tales or social conditions are perfomed at the theaters everyday.