13. 12. 2024 - 4. 2. 2025
Opening: 12. 12. 2024 at 6 pm
UM Gallery, UMPRUM, nám. Jana Palacha 80, Prague 1
Open: Mon-Sat, 10 am-6 pm
The gallery will be closed from the 20th of December 2024 to the 5th of January 2025.
The Beyond (Design) Frontiers exhibition at the UM Gallery will feature the work of four universities - UMPRUM in Prague, Elisava School of Design and Engineering in Catalonia, Design Academy Eindhoven in the Netherlands, and Konstfack University of Arts, Crafts and Design in Sweden. Curator Agáta Hošnová focused on showcasing design projects that embody an interdisciplinary approach, highlighting works rooted in ecology, social issues, cultural narratives, and planetary themes. The exhibition project explores the possibilities of sharing innovative and timeless practices between leading European art schools.
The UM Gallery will showcase 16 student projects at the intersection of art and design. These works highlight the unique characteristics of each partner school while simultaneously reflecting contemporary perspectives on design. United by the theme of boundaries, the projects explore and challenge media, conceptual frameworks, and contextual limitations through innovative design thinking.
"In preparing the exhibition, it was essential to thoroughly understand the partner schools, which I consider leaders in their field. This process allowed me to personally meet the artists from various schools who participated in the open call preceding the preparations. These interactions gave me a deeper insight into their conceptual approaches and artistic intentions. The dialogue between myself as a curator and the artists was mutually enriching—an experience I view as a vital aspect of curatorial work," says Agáta Hošnová, a student in the Master’s program in Theory and History of Modern and Contemporary Art at UMPRUM.
During the selection process, three main themes crystallized. The first addresses the pressing environmental crisis and the urgent need for sustainable materials and alternatives that minimize pollution. Designers in this category experiment with mycelium, speculate on innovative building materials and respond to environmental disasters caused by human activity. The second theme focuses on the social mission of design, critically examining established social constructs and norms dictated by dominant groups. These works highlight the experiences of women, different ethnicities, the elderly, and children, driven by goals of emancipation, decolonization, and a socially conscious shift in design. The third theme explores processes of loss, disappearance, and invisibility on both ecological and social levels. It brings attention to issues that are often overlooked in contemporary design, reflecting the fragile environmental and social conditions of our time.
The international exhibition Beyond (Design) Frontiers introduces the Czech context to examples of high-quality design practices addressing a wide spectrum of contemporary issues. Showcasing works not only from the Czech Republic’s UMPRUM but also from leading design schools across Europe, the exhibition will remain open until February 4th, 2025.
Exhibiting artists:
UMPRUM: Filip Frank, Karolína Kopřivová, Katarína Nábilková, and Adam Kvaček.
Design Academy Eindhoven: Marine Bosi, Poorvi Garag, Sophia Kukuwitakis, and Alessio Pinton.
Elisava: Louise Zanartu & Louis Boudart, Kaashvi Kothari, Monique Lemos, and Eduardo Paso Viola.
Konstfack: Sebastian Fältström, Hannah Klein, Olle Sahlqvist, and Emma Stocklassa.
Curator: Agáta Hošnová
Exhibition concept consultant: Klára Peloušková
Workshop consultant: Karolína Voleská
Exhibition Design: ruina.office
Installation: Extended
Graphic design: Pavel Kuja
Photography: Apolena Typltová
Translation: Agáta Hošnová
Production: Šárka Váňová, and Agáta Hošnová.
Editing English texts: Elijah Young
Technical Assistant: Marek Volf
Link to press kit:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1GHjJitlXKUYdQtWb6ZSpt364lfsmDcOj?usp=sharing
About the Academy of Arts, Architecture, and Design in Prague
The fundamental principle of the Academy is the individual approach to each student. The aim is to support talent and develop creative skills while emphasizing original independent thinking about society and nurturing a collective responsibility for our environment. Roughly 500 students across 24 studios are currently enrolled at the Academy of Arts, Architecture, and Design in Prague. The Academy opens its doors to the public twice a year with an exhibition of student work entitled “Artsemestr”. Every year, the Academy organizes more than 15 exhibition events, half of which take place abroad. According to the QS World University Rankings, UMPRUM is the only school from a post-communist country ranked among the most prestigious art schools in Europe.
About Elisava School of Design and Engineering
Elisava Barcelona School of Design and Engineering fosters education, knowledge, and research in design, communication, and engineering. Based in Barcelona, Elisava has graduated over 25,000 students during its 60-year history. In collaboration with Elisava Research, the school develops projects with companies, institutions, and NGOs to generate and share knowledge, tackle current and future challenges, and drive meaningful change. Elisava equips professionals with the skills to design products, services, and environments that contribute to a more sustainable, inclusive, and community-focused society. Learn more at: www.elisava.net
About Design Academy Eindhoven
Design Academy Eindhoven (DAE) is one of the world’s leading design schools, internationally renowned for its innovative thinking, esteemed faculty, and accomplished graduates. For over 70 years, DAE has educated young designers to think freely and openly about the potential of design to shape the future. The academy offers undergraduate and graduate programs, specializing in diverse design perspectives with a focus on nurturing critical and socially engaged designers. Complementing its educational programs, DAE hosts international research professorships that drive collaborative research projects. Central to the school’s ethos are its shared political values of inclusivity and diversity in all forms. Additionally, DAE’s programs are characterized by a hybrid, conceptual, contextual, and globally oriented approach to design. Learn more at: www.designacademy.nl
About Konstfack – University of Arts, Crafts, and Design
Founded in 1844, Konstfack has accumulated extensive experience over the years. Each year, approximately 900 students enroll in bachelor's, master's, doctoral, teacher training, and vocational courses. The school attracts a diverse community, with many students and faculty members from around the world. This international presence fosters the exchange of knowledge and promotes cross-cultural understanding. According to the QS Top Universities rankings for 2024, Konstfack is the top art school in Sweden, third in the Nordic countries, 11th in Europe, and 30th globally. The school is also home to some of the best-equipped workshops in Europe and boasts one of Sweden’s most comprehensive art and design libraries. For more information, visit: www.konstfack.se
