The second edition of Prague Art Week kicked off the fall season, ushering in a new wave of artistic brilliance and creative collaboration. It offers both Prague residents and art connoisseurs the chance to explore the city’s artistic offerings. The event includes a rich program of art talks, guided tours, and musical performances that are accessible to everyone with free entry.
For two unforgettable days, I traveled through Prague’s lively art scene, and I couldn’t resist sharing my top three recommendations before the exhibitions end. Trust me, you won’t want to miss these art collections!
- During my visit to Prague Art Week, I had the privilege of attending an Artist Talk with the Filipina-Canadian filmmaker, Stephanie Comilang. With an engaging presence, Comilang shared insights into her artistic practice and body of work, which traverses diverse themes and locations.
- Central to her work is an exploration of the nostalgic idealization of Spanish colonialism times in the Philippines, a poignant examination of lost souls and ghosts within the Manila Film Center, and a compassionate portrayal of Filipina domestic workers in Hong Kong.
- Notably, her film Come to Me, Paradise is a centerpiece of the Fotograf Festival: HYPEREXTENSION23, hosted at the Trade Fair Palace in the National Gallery Prague. Her exhibition revolves around the ever-changing concept of home and the shared experiences of those who navigate it.
- The film delves into the lives of Filipina migrant workers in Hong Kong, who are required to live in their employers’ homes, and it reveals how they carve out an alternative space during their day off on Sundays. Comilang expertly weaves together the stories of the domestic workers through the lens of a ghost played by a drone in her self-described “sci-fi” documentary. Her work, rooted in a personal history, offers a captivating glimpse into the feminine experience.
- As I stepped into the Bold Gallery in Prague’s Holešovice district, a sense of mystique immediately took over me. Next to the entrance, a diverse array of Tarot decks and guidebooks laid on the table, calling my name.
- An elderly gentleman with amusing behavior guided us through the gallery to explore the paintings of the twenty-two cards that make up the Major Arcana, each brought to life by twenty-two contemporary artists.
- Moemi Yamamoto’s painting titled “Judgement,” showcasing Major Arcana card #20, offered a glimpse into the artist’s fascination with the irrational and absurd elements of the dream realm.
- Jiří Marek’s mesmerizing painting, representing the fifth card, the Hierophant is a striking combination of classical symbolism and contemporary culture. The artist masterfully incorporated the iconic attributes of the original Marseille Tarot card, such as the papal crown and the crossed keys, into a visually arresting composition. Partially replacing the figure’s body with the sculpted head of Michelangelo’s Moses, the painting conjured a sense of spiritual gravity that sharply contrasted with the consumerist culture represented by a Nike sneaker.
- On my first night, I found myself in a softly illuminated café in Kampus Hybernská, where DJs took to the courtyard amidst a gentle drizzle of rain. The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation as artists, musicians, and writers gathered under one roof. Beyond an archway, I ventured into the gallery to see a series of paintings by David Krňanský.
- Abstract shapes and a vibrant color palette danced across the large canvases, inviting me to unravel the story behind each one. I turned to the woman beside me and asked, “So, what do you think it means?” As she gazed at the canvas, she said, “Well, it’s a journey isn’t it? Like the journey of life.” I nodded in agreement, for the canvas seemed to depict a labyrinth filled with twists and turns, much like the journey a person takes through the intricate maze of society.
- Moving onto the second painting, we saw a trophy, someone victorious. The third painting seemed to portray an individual conforming to society’s expectations, and perhaps finding love along the way. Each canvas revealed a new chapter in the abstract saga—inevitable downfalls, mid-life crises, and even death.
- It was as if Krňanský had captured the delicate balance between conformity and the pursuit of one’s desires, leaving us to contemplate the sacrifices made in the name of societal norms. The paintings helped us to discover the limitless beauty of our own interpretations.