Press Release/ MeetFactory Gallery/ CZECH POPE
MEETFACTORY
GALLERYpresents the exhibition
CZECH POPE
Ewa Axelrad (PL),
Ada Kaczmarczyk (PL), Bartosz Kokosiński (PL),
Mateusz Okoński
(PL), Jakub Woynarowski (PL)
Curators: Piotr Sikora, Piotr
Zdybal
P
Production: Venuše Tesnerová
Opening: 5. 2. 2014, 7pmExhibition duration: 5. 2. – 16. 3. 2014
MeetFactory
presents an exhibition based on an irrational misunderstanding stemming from
bringing together the head of the Catholic Church with Europe’s most
unreligious nation. On February 5th, five Polish artists will present to
the Czechs their prophecy and precious gift: a Czech Pope.
In
their intermedia works, Ewa Axelrad, Ada
Kaczmarczyk, Bartosz Kokosiński, Mateusz Okoński and Jakub Woynarowski
address the motifs of faith, religiousness and their obedient daughters:
spiritualism and occultism.Through a unique curatorial concept created by Piotr
Sikora and Piotr Zdybal, the MeetFactory Gallery will be transformed into the
form of an imaginary church. This metamorphosis works not only to question
religion but also materiality and contemporary culture, as many of the artists
address religious themes, but visually portray them through the use of
recognizable profane objects.
The
prerogative of Czech Pope is to bring together two nations
with very different views on the sacred. In the eyes of several up-and-coming
Polish artists, the question of religion, belief and spirituality is as
fallible as it is precious. However, what does this mean for Czechs, who find
themselves in a more open-ended system of values? Is the idea just a strange novelty?
If anything it bears the question, what do you believe
in?
The
dichotomy between Czech and Polish spirituality is great. Over 90% of Poles
practice Roman Catholicism. When asked, however, one may receive a litany of
different answers from Czechs about their beliefs.
“It’s
a hard question for almost everyone in this country I think. Personally, I
think I am agnostic, with some philosophical reserves” answered a Czech
writer and critic.
When
asked about her opinion on the existence of an afterlife and what might happen
to her when she passes, a recent graduate student answered, “I will have a
funeral, and no idea more.”
The
striking disparity between each Czech person’s point of view seems to be what
the Polish admire most. “Polish perspective on Czech culture is marked by a
fascination with a foreign tradition, wonderful liberalism, and liberated
individualism.” Says Piotr Sikora, one of the curators. So,
while the Polish artists offer to the Czechs something that is both sacred and
controversial for them, how will Czechs react? Perhaps this exhibition will
allow them to have a ‘religious experience’, but with contemporary art. ------------------------------
Voluntary admission fee
Additional guided tours or workshops for
schools or other groups are available upon request.
Exhibiting
artists: Ewa Axelrad - www.ewa-axelrad.com
Ada Karczmarczyk - http://adakarczmarczyk.blogspot.com;
http://www.youtube.com/user/AdaKarczmarczyk
Bartosz Kokosiński - www.bartoszkokosinski.com
Mateusz Okoński - http://strupek-microart.blogspot.com/2012/04/ostatnia-pochwa.html;
http://strupek-microart.blogspot.com/2012/04/40-i-p-fotorelacja.html;
http://zbiornikkultury.blogspot.com/2011/07/litania-wystawa-mateusza-okonskiego.html;
http://strupek-microart.blogspot.com/2010/09/quadratum-nigrum-theatro-publice.htmlJakub Woynarowski - http://wernalina.blogspot.com
Contacts
and more info:
Petr Hrubeš - PR and marketing / petr@meetfactory.cz / 602 367 552
Karina Pfeiffer Kottová – curator / karina@meetfactory.cz / 732 464 434
MeetFactory is
supported by a grant from the City of Prague amounting to 6.500.000 CZK for the
year 2014.
In collaboration
with Małopolski Ogród Sztuki (MOS), with kind support from the Polish Institute
in Prague.