Galerie Rudolfinum was transferred to the Museum of Decorative Arts

Petr Nedoma

Prague - Today, Minister of Culture Václav Riedlbauch transferred the Rudolfinum Gallery from the Czech Philharmonic to the administration of the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague. The gallery is to continue its current program and further develop it with a view to its newly formulated mission of "European Kunsthalle". This was reported by the press department of the ministry.
    This summer, Vladimir Darjanin assumed the role of director of the Czech Philharmonic, who had previously questioned Petr Nedoma's continued leadership of the Rudolfinum Gallery. After strong resistance from the professional community, he was eventually confirmed in his position until the end of the year.
    Nedoma has built a significant institution in the gallery that works in the style of a kunsthalle, meaning organizing temporary exhibitions rather than building collections. Over its 15 years of existence, the gallery has carved out a solid place in the domestic visual arts scene.
    The connection of both institutions, namely the Rudolfinum Gallery and the Museum of Decorative Arts, is considered by the ministry to be a fundamental systemic solution. It aims to help eliminate the existing dysfunctional relationships between the different entities that have so far operated under one roof.
    "It has been possible to save the Rudolfinum Gallery, which was doomed to extinction," commented Nedoma on the minister's decision. He appreciated that the entire team of gallery employees was preserved. "Exhibitions will thus continue according to plan and in line with the current dramaturgy," he told ČTK. According to him, during the transition of the gallery to the museum, the ministry promised to maintain its current budget.
    The merger with the Rudolfinum Gallery was also welcomed by Helena Koenigsmarková, the director of the Museum of Decorative Arts. "I welcome the Minister of Culture's decision as a significant step for both parties. We value the program of this gallery and will be happy to continue it. At the same time, it gives us the opportunity to prepare future projects interesting through the intermingling of artistic activities in general," Koenigsmarková told ČTK.
    According to the ministry, a significant moment for the work of the Rudolfinum Gallery will be the direct connection to this scientific-research facility, deepening professional work, and more opportunities for obtaining grants for preparing exhibitions. "The key point of contact is primarily photography, to which both institutions have previously devoted significant attention. The interdisciplinary connection also already opens up significantly greater space for cooperation with similarly conceived institutions abroad," the ministry stated in a press release.
    Koenigsmarková pointed out how history repeats itself in circles. The connection of both institutions has its historical precedent at the end of the 19th century when museum collections were permanently exhibited at the Rudolfinum from 1885 to 1900. "That is until its own building was constructed opposite," she added. In connection with the construction of a central depository and the reconstruction of the historical building of the museum (both projects are in the preparatory phase, with realization starting next year and completion scheduled for 2014), this will allow the museum to bridge a long period without its own exhibition space. It will find it in the so-called small gallery.
    In the conceptual activities of both institutions and their connection in joint projects, the ministry sees a guarantee of quality art presentation, which will be beneficial for the Czech cultural community and the city of Prague. It should permanently continue to involve Prague in the European network of cultural exchange and discussion.