Martin Roubík. architect – exhibition at the Alexandria Library
On Monday, November 29, 2010, a retrospective exhibition of the Czech architect Martin Roubík was opened in Alexandria, prepared and presented last year by the Jaroslav Fragner Gallery in Prague. In collaboration with the Embassy of the Czech Republic in the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Czech Institute of Egyptology at Charles University, this exhibition previously took place in March at the Nubian Museum in Aswan in southern Egypt – and is currently concluding its presentation in this country with an installation at the famous Alexandria Library.
The exhibition not only brings closer Roubík's architectural work but also his personality and the entire dramatic life story, half of which took place abroad. Architectural projects intertwine in a coherent timeline with the personal dimension – with memories of the architect himself, as well as those of his colleagues and loved ones. Martin Roubík was known for his distinctive and uncompromising public presence; the exhibition also documents a selection of his thoughts and opinions.
Martin Roubík was born in Prague, where he studied at the AAAD from 1968. After several years of study, he was arrested for political reasons, expelled from school, and prosecuted. He then emigrated to Norway. In addition to his work as an architect, he also engaged in artistic projects and other activities in Oslo. Together with several colleagues, he founded and managed the ROM for Architecture foundation in 1987, which is dedicated to the promotion of architecture. The same group is also behind the establishment of the now world-famous studio Snøhetta, where the Czech architect served as a partner for ten years. Along with his compatriot Jiří Havran, he also founded a photography studio – and later a publishing house – ARFO. In 1999, Martin Roubík permanently returned to Prague, where he operated an architectural practice with Regina Loukotová. The team under their leadership received an honorable mention in the finals of an international competition for the construction of the Grand Egyptian Museum in 2003. This duo was also notable for their pedagogical activities at the Czech Technical University in Prague. In the first half of this year, Roubík's plans to establish an international private university of architecture in Prague were successfully realized.
Martin Roubík had several projects connected with Egypt and returned there repeatedly over the last two decades. Initially in connection with the construction of the renowned Alexandria Library, which brought the previously unknown Norwegian studio Snøhetta fame; at the beginning of the millennium, then while working on the successful competition project for the Grand Egyptian Museum and the design of the Egyptian Chamber of Commerce building. Roubík's last project in the North African country was the architectural solution for the exhibition Saving Nubian Monuments, installed at the Nubian Museum in Aswan since November 2007, for which the architect collaborated with the Czech Institute of Egyptology at Charles University.
Roubík's retrospective is now exceptionally presented directly in the entrance area of the Alexandria Library, where it will be inaugurated with the participation of its director Ismail Serageldin and Czech chargé d'affaires Jiří Slavík. The exhibition will run until December 6, 2010.
The exhibition not only brings closer Roubík's architectural work but also his personality and the entire dramatic life story, half of which took place abroad. Architectural projects intertwine in a coherent timeline with the personal dimension – with memories of the architect himself, as well as those of his colleagues and loved ones. Martin Roubík was known for his distinctive and uncompromising public presence; the exhibition also documents a selection of his thoughts and opinions.
Martin Roubík was born in Prague, where he studied at the AAAD from 1968. After several years of study, he was arrested for political reasons, expelled from school, and prosecuted. He then emigrated to Norway. In addition to his work as an architect, he also engaged in artistic projects and other activities in Oslo. Together with several colleagues, he founded and managed the ROM for Architecture foundation in 1987, which is dedicated to the promotion of architecture. The same group is also behind the establishment of the now world-famous studio Snøhetta, where the Czech architect served as a partner for ten years. Along with his compatriot Jiří Havran, he also founded a photography studio – and later a publishing house – ARFO. In 1999, Martin Roubík permanently returned to Prague, where he operated an architectural practice with Regina Loukotová. The team under their leadership received an honorable mention in the finals of an international competition for the construction of the Grand Egyptian Museum in 2003. This duo was also notable for their pedagogical activities at the Czech Technical University in Prague. In the first half of this year, Roubík's plans to establish an international private university of architecture in Prague were successfully realized.
Martin Roubík had several projects connected with Egypt and returned there repeatedly over the last two decades. Initially in connection with the construction of the renowned Alexandria Library, which brought the previously unknown Norwegian studio Snøhetta fame; at the beginning of the millennium, then while working on the successful competition project for the Grand Egyptian Museum and the design of the Egyptian Chamber of Commerce building. Roubík's last project in the North African country was the architectural solution for the exhibition Saving Nubian Monuments, installed at the Nubian Museum in Aswan since November 2007, for which the architect collaborated with the Czech Institute of Egyptology at Charles University.
Roubík's retrospective is now exceptionally presented directly in the entrance area of the Alexandria Library, where it will be inaugurated with the participation of its director Ismail Serageldin and Czech chargé d'affaires Jiří Slavík. The exhibition will run until December 6, 2010.
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