Naskle, balíme! - Studio of Glass diploma work
Created: 7. 6. 2018 from Vysoká škola uměleckoprůmyslová v Praze

Naskle, balíme!
Studio of Glass diploma work

16. 6. – 14. 7. 2018
opening: 15. 6. at 7 pm

UM Gallery, UMPRUM, nám. Jana Palacha 80, Praha 1

This exhibition presents the diploma work by the students of the Glass Studio at the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague. Semi-translucent materials that are usually used for the packaging of glass before transportation are used as an architectural feature of the installation. The spacing of the exhibits enables undisturbed viewing of each work before viewing them again all at once at the end of the exhibition.

The multitude of exhibited works and creative approaches reflect the character of the glass material that offers countless ways of creative processing. It also illustrates the atmosphere of the studio led by Rony Plesl and assistant professor Klára Horáčková, which brings together artistic excellence, original expression, and design. The exhibits have in common the crossing of generic boundaries, be it the conceptual installation of glass panels by Jana Němcová, neon crosses by David Černý, the visual poetry of the reflections of the lights by Michaela Doležalová or vases with blurred surfaces by Sebastian Kitzberger.

The concept of the exhibition draws on the previous installation of final-exam and semester student works; selected artworks will be exhibited at the opportunity of the studio’s presentation in London this autumn. The exhibition of the diploma work is a look back at working together in the studio and closes the time of the studies at the academy. See you soon through the glass!

Exhibiting artists: David Černý, Michaela Doležalová, Sebastian Kitzberger, Jana Němcová
Exhibition curators: Alena Štěrbová, Kamila Huptychová, Nikol Vlčková

Exhibition architecture: Eduard Seibert
Graphic design: Luciana Kvapilová, Matej Vojtuš
Photo: Lenka Glisníková
Production: Alena Štěrbová, Šárka Váňová
Translations: Tereza Bartošková

Exhibiting graduates

David Černý
The diploma thesis entitled The Neon Demon thematises history, technology, and the use of neon tubes. David studies different aspects of neon, which was used by the marketing industry and also served as a formal material for artistic expression. This work stresses the uniqueness of the technology of neon tubes, a material used in the making of autonomous light objects taken from the marketing environment. The core parts of the objects are their spherical glass centres through which the neon tubes run. Simple morphology and unusual, well worked-out details have long been part of David’s work.

Michaela Doležalová
In her diploma thesis, entitled Senseware, Michaela presents solid ambient lighting objects. Her set of standing lamps with variable lighting modes and intensity is inspired by the circadian rhythm of the human body that is often disturbed by artificial blue light. The organic surface of the glass lights creates a subtle play of light, reflections, and shadows, which changes the atmosphere and the space. Michaela has her own brand, Goddess Light, and has been systematically designing lighting through which she induces various types of intimate atmospheres.

Sebastian Kitzberger
Crust is a complex collection of vases aimed at the reinterpretation of the art and craft tradition of massive glass vases. At its core are the rehabilitation of their morphology and the innovation of classic wooden moulds. The final result has the formal precision of glass vases, authorial motifs, and the natural structure of the wooden moulds. Sebastian pursues both design and fine arts; he often experiments and reinterprets the glass-making tradition, both formally and content-wise. 

Jana Němcová
The key topic of this diploma thesis Chiméra is the interpretation of subjective perception of colours. Jana’s installation features a combination of glass-making technologies and materials; by layering glass slabs and objects, she thematises the colour spectrum and the possibilities of its perception. The key role is played by colour – a perception that is generally known and often described, but also subjective, sensual and difficult to grasp. Jana is inspired by natural phenomena; she creatively captures them in glass and other materials.