Curated by_Constructions and stories_Curated by_Marie Klimesova

13.05.–18.06.2011

Constructions and stories

The exhibition of works by the couple Běla and Jiří Kolář presents several extraordinary, yet hitherto hardly known pieces which exemplify the inspirational creative flair which helped the artists to establish themselves in the arena of Czech art and guaranteed that their works became an integral part of the international Conceptual Art scene after World War II.
While poet and artist Jiří Kolář gained international renown as early as in the 1960s, Běla Kolářová’s exceptional contribution has only received the recognition it deserves over the last few years. The exhibition comprises assemblages, interpreted objects, drawings, photographs, and collages from the 1950s to the 1980s. It will focus on the experimental processes and technologies employed by the artists and demonstrate that the defining characteristic of their work derives from its profoundly intellectual nature, its sovereign artistic quality, and intimate perspective.


Marie Klimešová
Born in Prague in 1952, lives and works in Prague

Marie Klimešová is a university teacher, free curator, and member of the Czech section of AICA – Association Internationale des Critiques d’Art, which she chaired from 2005 to 2007. She was a curator at the National Gallery Prague (1997–2002) and at the City Gallery Prague (1987–1997). Her main exhibitions include Years in Days: Czech Art 1945–1957, City Gallery Prague, 2010; Běla Kolářová, Museum of Art Olomouc, 2006; Jiří Kolář, Musée des Beaux Arts Dijon, 2002; Jitka and Květa Válová, National Gallery Prague, 2000; and Focal Points of Revival: Czech Art 1956–1963, City Gallery Prague, 1994.