The City of a Hundred Spires
November 2024 in Prague
I am truly overwhelmed with joy as I reflect on the unforgettable moments we shared in Prague. These wonderful experiences would not have been possible without the generous invitation from our dear member, Pavlína Pudil — to whom we extend our deepest gratitude.
Prague has revealed itself as a vibrant hub for contemporary art, seamlessly weaving together tradition and innovation. From presenting world-renowned artists like Antony Gormley and Chiharu Shiota to fostering a dynamic platform for local emerging talents, the city’s creative pulse is undeniable. It is within this electrifying and colourful fusion of artistry, set against the backdrop of a storybook medieval city, that our International Board embarked on an inspiring new journey.
Antony Gormley & Pavla Melková at the Galerie Rudolfinum
Julia Bailey, director of the Galerie Rudolifnum, led us on a private tour of the stunning exhibition bringing together British artist Antony Gormley and Czech architect and poet Pavla Melková in a powerful creative exchange. In this show both artists looked to enhance the sensory awareness of the places we inhabit, deepening our perception of the ways in which we occupy space and experience the objects around us.
František Kupke & Otto Gutfreund at the Museum Kampa
Jan Skřivánek, chief curator of the Museum Kampa, led us on a private tour of the permanent exhibition dedicated to Kupke & Gutfreund, rooted in the extensive collection of Czech-American art collector and benefactor Meda Mládek whose foundation founded the Museum. The collection showcasing over 70 works spanning Kupka’s career, traces his evolution towards non-figurative painting and concluded with a chapter on sculptor Otto Gutfreund.
Lettenmayer Collection
Hermann and Lucia Lettenmayer are prolific patrons and collectors in the Czech contemporary art scene. At their home outside Prague, they have built a state-of-the-art gallery to display their sizable collection of more than 10 000 works. In honor of the International Board, they hosted artists and leaders from the Czech art world for a splendid breakfast and visit.
Young Artist Studio Visits in Žižkov
In a charmingly rugged industrial building on the outskirts of central Prague, we visited a group of emerging Czech artists, some of whom have already been integrated into the Pudil Family Collection.
Krištof Kintera Studio Visit
Kintera’s studio is a labyrinth of objects in the midst of transformation. When we visited, he was preparing a commission for a city park in Prague where he is to install a twisted forest of lamp posts sourced from around the world - lampposts from across the Czech Republic, from Norway, from California, from Jerusalem.
Cocktail and Collection Visit at Pudil Family Home
Pavlína welcomed the Board to her private home for a privileged collection visit and champagne cocktail. Across her wonderful home, we found a beautifully curated collection of contemporary art, from institutional works to a portrait by Michal Rampant, whose studio we had just visited in Žižkov a few hours prior.
Martin Janecký Studio Visit
Jakub Kodl, co-founder and owner of KodlContemporary, invited the Board to visit the studio of the renowned glass artist, Martin Janecký, in a former church in a picturesque part of Prague’s history center. Between the effortlessness with which Janecký rolled and shaped glass into the shape of a human head, and the nonchalance with which he used a blowtorch to light a cigarette he held between his lips, we were absolutely enthralled.
Chiharu Shiota exhibition visit at Kunsthalle Praha
Artist Chiharu Shiota and Christelle Havranek, chief curator of the Kunsthalle Praha, led the Board on a private, pre-opening visit of Shiota’s exhibition.
Guided Tour of the Prague Castle and Strahov Library
We visited the breathtaking cathedral and the stunning gem that is the Strahov Library.
Kunsthalle Praha Opening Night
A gathering of the who’s who in Prague’s contemporary art scene, the opening night of Chiharu Shiota’s exhibition was another chance for the Board to mingle with artists, gallerists, and patrons from across the Czech capital. Pavlína and Petr were lauded for their steadfast support of the Kunsthalle, and we were delighted to take part in their rapturous applause.
Czech Dining & Bluelight Bar
Each night we dined at a different restaurant on the banks of the majestic Vltava, sampling the jewels of Czech cuisine. From an Italian-inspired meal on Sunday, to a modern Czech dinner hosted by the Pudils and the Kodl family, to an elegant send-off of traditional Czech fare at the Kampa Park Restaurant, you can be sure we ate fabulously.
Of course, before we could go, some of us made our way to the famed Bluelight Bar to dance and mingle in the iconic Prague institution.
