Karel Malich became famous for his unique wire sculptures and pastel drawings, about six dozen of whose works are newly exhibited by the Gočár Gallery in Pardubice. He thus reminds that last month it was 100 years since the birth and at the same time five years since the death of the native of Holice in Pardubice, who won an international reputation and whose work was appreciated by the world’s leading museums.
“It is a representative exhibition for Karel Malich’s anniversary. We managed to acquire his essential works, which are wire sculptures. He was an innovator in this technique, no other author was dedicated to it,” says curator Aneta Kopecká. She called the show Me and the One I’ll Meet after the wire object. It will last until February 9 next year.
Karel Malich started creating sculptures from colored and dyed wires after 1970. He was very sensitive, he had different visions. He tried to express “enormous and invisible energy, light, air flow and relationships that go beyond our normal vision”, describes the second curator Eliška Jedličková.
Malich, who later exhibited at the Center Pompidou in Paris, the Martin-Gropius-Bau gallery in Berlin or the Guggenheim Museum and the Museum of Modern Art in New York, did not like working with clay or classical sculpture. “He was very orderly. He started creating from clean material, from wires. At the same time, he had a very good sense of colors, he colored the wires, some of them were colored by themselves. Tying the wires together is his own handiwork,” adds the curator.
The show in Gočár’s gallery also includes pastel drawings in which Malich depicted his ideas and experiences. Over the years, he moved from more complicated and intertwined shapes in paintings and sculptures to simple compositions. “He is a very innovative author who will have a major influence on the development of further art. He is extremely well-known and highly valued by collectors. When his pastels appear at auctions, their price goes up very quickly,” comments Aneta Kopecká.
Artist Eliška Perglerová responded to Karel Malich’s work, whose nine-meter sculpture called Ergot will stand in front of the Automatic Mills building, the gallery’s headquarters, until spring. The work is shaped like an ear of wheat infected with ergot, which is called ergot. The sculpture is based on Malich’s typical clouds, which he has been creating since the mid-1960s. It will be possible to enter the sculpture and listen not only to the roar of the autumn wind.
How has Karel Malich’s work influenced contemporary artists and art movements?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Art Expert Anna Novák on Karel Malich’s Legacy
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome, Anna! It’s a pleasure to have you here to discuss the remarkable exhibition dedicated to Karel Malich. With this year marking both the centenary of his birth and the fifth anniversary of his death, what do you think is the significance of this timing for the exhibition at the Gočár Gallery in Pardubice?
Anna Novák (AN): Thank you for having me! The timing couldn’t be more poignant. Celebrating 100 years since Malich’s birth alongside reflecting on his legacy five years after his passing underscores the enduring impact of his work. It serves as a retrospective that not only honors his contributions but also invites new audiences to engage with his artistry.
TNE: Absolutely. I understand the exhibition is titled Me and the One I’ll Meet. What can you tell us about this title and its connection to Malich’s work?
AN: The title is both intriguing and reflective of Malich’s artistic journey. It stems from one of his wire sculptures that embodies his exploration of connection and relationships. Malich was fascinated by invisible energies and the unseen interactions between people and nature. This exhibition seeks to draw visitors into a dialogue with these concepts, expressing through his wire sculptures the delicate dance of light, energy, and existence.
TNE: Speaking of his wire sculptures, it must be fascinating that he was somewhat of a pioneer in this medium. How did Malich’s innovation differ from others in the realm of sculpture?
AN: Indeed, Karel Malich was an innovator in using wire as a primary sculptural medium. Unlike traditional sculpture that often employs robust materials like stone or metal, Malich’s choice of colorful and dyed wires allowed for a uniquely ethereal quality. This choice enabled him to explore themes of fluidity and transparency—qualities that resonate with his ideas about invisible energy. He transformed a humble material into a conduit for profound ideas about our environment and existence itself.
TNE: That’s a beautiful way to put it. You mentioned that Malich was sensitive and had different visions. Can you elaborate on how these sensibilities influenced his artwork?
AN: Malich’s sensitivity is evident in the way his artworks engage with their surroundings. He had an extraordinary ability to perceive and represent the nuances of light, air flow, and energy that many artists might overlook. His work often feels alive, inviting viewers to consider their own feelings and connections. Through subtle shifts in how light interacts with his sculptures, he creates an immersive experience that speaks to our collective human experience.
TNE: It’s compelling to think about how art can connect us to deeper emotions and concepts. How has Malich’s work been received by international audiences and art institutions?
AN: Malich’s work has gained recognition from some of the world’s leading museums, which speaks volumes about its universal appeal. International audiences appreciate not just the aesthetic beauty of his sculptures but also the philosophical inquiries they prompt. His ability to seamlessly blend simplicity with complexity allows for a wide range of interpretations, making his art accessible to various audiences.
TNE: The exhibition at the Gočár Gallery will be on display until February 9 next year. How do you recommend visitors approach this experience to truly understand Malich’s vision?
AN: I encourage visitors to take their time with each piece and to engage not just visually but also emotionally. Before you even approach a sculpture, pause and allow yourself to absorb the environment and how the light interacts with each wire form. Reflect on your own experiences with energy and connection as you observe his work. Malich’s art is not just to be seen; it’s meant to be felt and contemplated.
TNE: Thank you so much, Anna, for sharing your insights on Karel Malich and his ongoing legacy through this exhibition. It sounds like a truly enriching experience for anyone who has the opportunity to visit.
AN: Thank you! I hope everyone gets a chance to experience the magic of Karel Malich’s works firsthand. It’s an extraordinary celebration of a visionary artist.