2024-04-08 04:06:28
The bizarre collection of enlarged anatomical preparations is reminiscent of the large-format works of the artist Petr Niklo, which is newly exhibited by the Galerie František Drtikol in Příbram. In addition to moths, visitors will see works reminiscent of caterpillars, larvae, but also repainted baroque portraits of women or prints of the author’s face.
The show, which will last until May 12, was prepared by curator Petr Vaňous. He chose works for it that the painter and graphic artist Petr Nikl created by soaking coffee, colored water or ink in rice paper. “He created shapes as a form of play, worked with different inks, while each ink works differently and each rice paper works differently. There is a principle of randomness and also a principle of mirroring,” explains gallery director Magda Danel.
The resulting figures can resemble a psychiatric Rorschach test or a giant insect due to their symmetry. The closest in shape to them are moths, i.e. moths. At the same time, according to curator Vaňous, they symbolically speak of the unclear relationship between the artist’s consciousness and unconsciousness, of the magically intertwined logic associated with night and sleep. “Niklov’s work frees the imagination, imagination as well as procedural randomness and material improvisations, in which he finds enormous potential for the development of a human being,” adds Petr Vaňous.
The exhibition is the first that Galerie František Drtikola has opened under the leadership of the new director. Magda Danel aims to double the number of visitors within five years. Now 4,000 people go to the gallery every year. A rich accompanying program in the form of guided tours and creative workshops for children should attract more of them. The gallery intends to open more significantly to the public.
Visitors are already welcomed by a new entrance desk, the exhibition spaces have been freshly painted, and book sales and a cafe are expected in the future.
This should be followed by a change of the permanent exhibition dedicated to the famous photographer, after whom the institution established by the city is named. For this purpose, the new head will set up a professional working group, which will include photographers, curators and experts in photography and contemporary art. He wants to discuss the result of their work with representatives of the Museum of Applied Arts in Prague. The new exhibition could then be opened to the public at the beginning of next year.
The new director of the František Drtikola gallery, Magda Danel. | Photo: CTK
In its new form, the permanent exhibition should become a sort of parallel exhibition plan focused on the best of Czech and foreign photography as well as Drtikol’s work. Magda Danel would also like to organize short-term exhibitions where Drtikol’s originals would be on display.
The current permanent exhibition offers reproductions. The city prepared it with the Museum of Applied Arts in 2000. According to the new director, it deserves revitalization.
Her predecessor Jan Freiberg already had similar plans, but at the time the plan drew criticism. “I am aware of the great responsibility, and that is why I do not want to carry it alone, I am afraid of that. I will form a working group of experts who will put together an idea with which we will approach the Museum of Art and Industry. But it will be a developed concept, it will not just be something we quickly throw in.” says Magda Danel.
Deputy mayor Miroslav Peterka from ODS also believes that the exhibition needs to be refreshed. According to him, the new director should discuss this with Jan Mlčoch, curator of the photography collections of the Museum of Art and Industry.
The new boss has a two-year plan ready. After the current exhibition of Petr Niklo’s works, visitors can look forward to the exhibition of sculptures, paintings and drawings Inner Child by contemporary Jozef Čižmár, who works under the stage name Andros Foros. This will be followed by events on the anniversary of Franz Kafka’s death and an exhibition on the theme of landscape. The end of the year should belong to industrial photography.
According to Magda Danel, the Příbram gallery should operate on the principle of a kunsthalle, so it will organize temporary exhibitions, and not its own collections. He wants to focus on the best of contemporary art. “I’m doing it so that we can aspire to some European grants in the future,” he explains.
According to her, the previous exhibitions of photographs from the Czech Press Photo competition or the Nativity scenes organized by the Příbram Mining Museum do not fit into this concept. “We will certainly be happy to help with the production of nativity scenes, but it will not be the exhibition plan of the gallery,” he adds.
The new head of the gallery replaced Jan Freiberg, who was dismissed by the city council last year. He faced criticism for his management, but denied the accusations. He is not currently working in the gallery, but Magda Danel would like to work with him in the future, as he is an expert on Drtikol’s work. In addition to the director, three people and a fourth work part-time in the gallery. The organization manages less than four million crowns.
In the past, Magda Danel was a manager of music groups and also led the contribution organization Za Trojka, which has taken care of culture in Prague 3 since 2015, including, for example, the program of the sought-after Žižkov concert and exhibition hall Atrium. Her representative there was the renowned curator Vaňus. Magda Danel was removed from her position five years ago, according to her, for political reasons. Příbram Deputy Mayor Peterka has already stated that the selection committee looking for a new head of Galeria František Drtikola worked with this information from the beginning, but still evaluated Magda Danel as the best.
Video: How artist Petr Nikl works
In last year’s short documentary Creatures, artist Petr Nikl shows how he creates his works of art. | Video: Havelka Gallery