The exhibition Kaplický looks to the future, in which he drew inspiration
Prague - A cross-section of the lifelong work of architect Jan Kaplický, as well as some previously unexhibited items and projects from his estate, will be showcased at an exhibition that begins on Tuesday at the Dancing House in Prague. It is held on the occasion of the architect's posthumous 80th birthday, which will be in April next year. The exhibition, entitled JKOK Infinity of Jan Kaplický, will run until March next year. "Infinity points to the future. All of his thinking took place in the future," said Kaplický's collaborator and the main author of the exhibition's design, Eva Jiřičná, to reporters today.
The exhibition is divided into three sections. The first showcases the most significant works of Kaplický through photographs and models. "Visitors will be guided through the exhibition by the thoughts and words of Jan Kaplický. This will allow everyone the opportunity to view his architectural work through their own eyes," Jiřičná said. The second section presents the author's sources of inspiration, his family background, and projects created before his emigration to Britain as well as his post-revolutionary work in the Czech Republic. Among the exhibits is the project for the concert hall Ray, intended for České Budějovice, one of his last projects, as well as projects from the 1960s that gained attention shortly after Kaplický arrived in Britain.
The last part focuses on how his projects were created. It displays models of lesser-known administrative buildings and experimental and futuristic projects such as a helicopter pilot's house or remarkable structures of organic shapes intended for seaside locations.
The exhibition also portrays Kaplický as a designer of jewelry, tableware, and fashion, emphasizing his effort to create in an environmentally responsible manner and his desire to dedicate a significant building to his homeland towards the end of his life. However, he was unable to achieve this; his project for a new National Library building, which won a competition, was never realized, particularly due to political resistance. The difficulties in promoting it, which Kaplický personally undertook, likely hastened his death in early 2009, on the day his second child was born.
Jiřičná explained part of the exhibition's title JKOK - besides the architect's initials, it contains a brief greeting he sent to his mother from his first independent trip abroad; on the postcard, he wrote only OK and signed it JK. According to her, visitors should not miss the casts of Kaplický's hands when leaving the gallery. "He conceived his projects with his mind, but the ideas were transferred to his hands. He did not create with a computer, but with his hands," said the woman who was once Kaplický's partner and for whom the architect is a lifelong inspiration. "Doing an exhibition of Jan Kaplický is always an emotional matter for me. I knew him for 50 years, I saw his beginnings, his problems, even when his fame peaked and ultimately that tragic end. It is always nice to look back at the enormous amount of work he did," Jiřičná told ČTK.
The exhibition is divided into three sections. The first showcases the most significant works of Kaplický through photographs and models. "Visitors will be guided through the exhibition by the thoughts and words of Jan Kaplický. This will allow everyone the opportunity to view his architectural work through their own eyes," Jiřičná said. The second section presents the author's sources of inspiration, his family background, and projects created before his emigration to Britain as well as his post-revolutionary work in the Czech Republic. Among the exhibits is the project for the concert hall Ray, intended for České Budějovice, one of his last projects, as well as projects from the 1960s that gained attention shortly after Kaplický arrived in Britain.
The last part focuses on how his projects were created. It displays models of lesser-known administrative buildings and experimental and futuristic projects such as a helicopter pilot's house or remarkable structures of organic shapes intended for seaside locations.
The exhibition also portrays Kaplický as a designer of jewelry, tableware, and fashion, emphasizing his effort to create in an environmentally responsible manner and his desire to dedicate a significant building to his homeland towards the end of his life. However, he was unable to achieve this; his project for a new National Library building, which won a competition, was never realized, particularly due to political resistance. The difficulties in promoting it, which Kaplický personally undertook, likely hastened his death in early 2009, on the day his second child was born.
Jiřičná explained part of the exhibition's title JKOK - besides the architect's initials, it contains a brief greeting he sent to his mother from his first independent trip abroad; on the postcard, he wrote only OK and signed it JK. According to her, visitors should not miss the casts of Kaplický's hands when leaving the gallery. "He conceived his projects with his mind, but the ideas were transferred to his hands. He did not create with a computer, but with his hands," said the woman who was once Kaplický's partner and for whom the architect is a lifelong inspiration. "Doing an exhibition of Jan Kaplický is always an emotional matter for me. I knew him for 50 years, I saw his beginnings, his problems, even when his fame peaked and ultimately that tragic end. It is always nice to look back at the enormous amount of work he did," Jiřičná told ČTK.
The English translation is powered by AI tool. Switch to Czech to view the original text source.
0 comments
add comment
