Cermodern (Altınsoy Street, Number: 306101 Sıhhiye/Ankara/Turkey) September 27 – October 30, 2019
The exhibition opening on September 26, 2019 coincides with the celebrations of the Czech National Day and will be accompanied by live glass-blowing performances by Dechem Studio and ceramics spraying show by Roman Šedina (Instalation with support of Kütahya Porselen San.A.Ş.)
Czech Republic is internationally well-known for its famous Bohemian crystal and centuries old glass tradition, that belongs to one of the oldest in Europe. But there is much more to Czech design! Presenting a selection of some of the best Czech companies and designers, Shapes and Shapers: Contemporary Czech Design is the largest exhibition of Czech design in Turkey to date. Organized by the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Ankara and the Czech Centres, the exhibition is hosted by Ankara´s leading contemporary arts gallery Cermodern from September 27 – October 30, 2019.
100 YEARS OF CZECH DESIGN
Shapes and Shapers is divided into three main parts. The Story of Czech Design introduces the development of design in the Czech Republic between 1918-2018 and features some of the most iconic objects created in the past century. From Libuše Niklová´s inflatable toys, through cubist ceramics and furniture to city bikes, all the objects are timeless in their quality and also because of the fact they are either still being manufactured.
CZECH DESIGN BRANDS
The second section, presented in Cermodern´s North Gallery, is a showcase of internationally successful Czech design brands. Drawing inspiration from the tradition of Czech glassmaking, the selection focuses on lighting products and glassware and includes some spectacular chandeliers by the internationally celebrated company Lasvit, who will also present part of their Monster Cabaret collection.
Also featured are urban cool designs by Bomma, and of course the ageless hand-blown vases by Moser. As a special treat, Turkish design brand Paşabahçe will present their collection developed by Czech glass artist Rony Plesl.
NEW TALENTS
The third and last section aims to blur the usual boundaries between design and fine-arts and takes us into the word of free creativity and emerging designers, presenting work that has never been exhibited in Turkey before. Selected objects contain textiles (with Tereza Rosalie Kladošová´s stunning fabrics from recycled Merino wool being one of the exhibition´s highlights), jewellery (including the award-winning eye-wear collection by Nastassia Aleinikava and work by students of Prague´s Academy of Art, Architecture and Design), and of course glass and ceramics (glowing uranium glass vases by Rony Plesl, elegant minimalist Bandaska collection by Dechem Studio, or original porcelain tableware illustrated by Michal Bačák). The richness of approaches, talent and a certain whimsical quality the upcoming design generation transform Cermodern´s South Gallery into a breath-taking playground of forms and materials.