Prague, a city known for its rich history and baroque architecture, is also home to one of Europe’s most celebrated design festivals – Designblok. This year marked the festival’s 25th anniversary, and I couldn’t wait to return after visiting for the first time in 2019. I’ll go over some of my favorite things to do at the festival that make it an unforgettable experience.
A Prague Castle Extravaganza
In honor of this special anniversary, Designblok made history by hosting an exhibition at the Prague Castle, aptly named “Made by Fire.”
This project took me on a mesmerizing journey brought to life by a collaboration between The Moravian Gallery in Brno and the Designblok festival. It’s a dynamic exploration of art and design in a time of social change, where tradition meets innovation, and creativity knows no bounds.
Although Designblok has regrettably come to an end, its magic continues to thrive. Both the captivating Designblok Cosmos and the “Made by Fire” exhibition at Prague Castle have extended their doors until October 15, 2023.
Support to Emerging Artists in Europe
One of the best things to do at Designblok is visit the shops and showrooms to see what is trending in the design world. The awe-inspiring Trade Fair Palace of the National Gallery Prague set the stage for brands to showcase their latest products.
The exhibition for Budapest Select stood out from the crowd for me, showcasing the work of over a dozen Hungarian ceramists, glassblowers, and sculptors.
A Revival of Retro Games
For those who love interactive art experiences, Designblok has you covered.
I explored the FaVU arcade, a collaborative exhibition by the Product Design Studio and the Game Media Studio at the BUT Faculty of Fine Arts. A brilliant interpretation of classic arcade machines, I used the joysticks to change the light color and the push buttons to switch the lights on and off.
A Large Retrospective Exhibition
As I reached the next floor of the National Gallery, I turned to the right, guided by the soft warm glow of gallery lights. In the center of the room stood a massive vintage storage facility, filled with elegant wooden cabinets and drawers, each adorned with metal handles.
This was not just an ordinary piece of furniture; this was a portal to the past, designed to house the stories and mementos of renowned Czech painters and designers from the early 20th century.
Zdeněk Rykr’s cabinet called my name. The drawer contained intricate paintings and assemblages that celebrated Rykr’s exploration of form and texture.
Gently opening the next two cabinets, I began to sift through files wrapped in fabric capturing the essence of the architectural heritage of the First Republic of Czechoslovakia.
Lower down, I came upon drawers labeled ‘Emil Filla’ and ‘František Kupka.’ Both artists were associated with avant-garde art movements of their time. Filla was a key figure in Czech Cubism, while Kupka was closely related to Orphism, an abstract art movement with a focus on color and geometric shapes.
Another Successful Year
Two weeks before the Designblok event, I had the pleasure of visiting Prague Art Week, both of which took place at the National Gallery in Prague. I must say, it’s not a matter of one being better than the other; both Prague Art Week and Designblok have their distinct charm and offer something special. It’s a testament to the vibrant cultural scene in Prague and the National Gallery’s role in fostering creativity and innovation.