UMPRUM Summer 2024
As I do every year, I visited the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague to view the students' final projects from the past year. This is the selection of works that stood out to me personally.
Šimon Jan
I first noticed Šimon's work back in January. Since then, we've already collaborated on an exhibition at HIDDEN Republika. It was truly gratifying to witness Šimon's progress, as he continually pushes the visual boundaries of his work rather than repeating the same themes.
Zuzana Kotrbová, Dorian Komárků
This time, the studios of Textile and K.O.V. (Concept, Object, Meaning) decided to collaborate, bringing together students from each studio to focus on a material: wool. This work is a collaboration between Zuzana Kotrbová and Dorian Komárků.
Wool, often associated with nostalgic items like grandmothers' sweaters, offers a rich sensory experience beyond its aesthetic appeal. It can touch us in various ways, from its distinct smell to its tactile feel. Exploring wool through fetish, it provides new experiences where touch and material lead to moments of calmness and worship. This idea is visualized in a scene inspired by É. Manet’s Luncheon in the Grass, blending art and fetish. By creating a mosaic from felted pink wool reliefs, we capture the intimate connection and preserved moments of a Woolies afternoon.
Barbora Biskupcová
Bára is a student in the illustration studio, and this year she's showcasing several works. I fell in love with this one in particular. I was completely charmed by this particular piece. Its portrayal of flora carries a magical aura – calm yet mysterious. I really enjoyed being drawn into its atmosphere.
Workshop
In the illustration studio, I was impressed by the outcome of a Japanese woodblock printing workshop (木版画). Students tried out this technique, and each displayed one print. I easily recognized Livie Suche's print, which I exhibited at HIDDEN Florenc in 2021.
