UMPRUM students present the hidden value of tabletop objects in Japan
22. 8.–17. 9. 2024
Czech Center Tokyo, 2-16-14 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0012, Japan
The Gallery of the Czech Center Tokyo will present the exhibition FEAST by students of the Ceramics and Porcelain Studio and the Photography Studio II of UMPRUM. Their joint project highlights the hidden value and beauty of everyday objects. They prove that tableware is not only valued for its practical functions but also for how we perceive it and what it means to us.
The project of the Studio of Ceramics and Porcelain continues in the tradition of the studio. When designing tabletop objects, the young authors did not focus only on the design of the object but had to master production technology and craftsmanship skills in depth. Emphasis was also placed on the relationship of the object to its surroundings. "Conceptually, their work is based on the ideas of Bernard Leach's Studio Ceramics movement, illustrated in the concept of ethical pottery, and the Mingei movement, represented by the texts of Yanagi Soetsu", explains Milan Pekař, the head of the Ceramics and Porcelain Studio, explaining the philosophy of the work.
The individual artifacts are unconventional and differ not only conceptually, but also in technique and production. The exhibition will offer a wide range of objects from minimalist tableware sets to objects with playful and unusual designs. A simple installation evoking a feast will make the diverse collection stand out. Among the exhibited projects, we can mention, for example, Jan Adam Hlušička's "Temple of Butter", which responds to the rising price of butter and its shape resembles an ancient temple. Another remarkable work is the set of colorful ceramic cups "Chin-Chin!" Gréta Kušnírová, or Emma Klára Kočnerová's bowls, who was inspired by cartoons and children's series in her “Memento" collection. It is worth mentioning the humorous tray for the traditional Czech specialty of chlebíček (open sandwich) by Pavel Kolařík, which consists of a statue of a costumed peasant woman carrying a tray exactly big enough to hold one of these delicacies.
In the project FEAST Photography Studio II also played a significant role. One photographer worked with each ceramic artist. Thanks to them, a series of original images illustrating the intentions of both artists were created, which are an integral part of the exhibition and the online catalog https://nosnastul.cz.
A group exhibition of students of the University of Applied Arts in Prague will be on display in the gallery of the Czech Center Tokyo until the 17th of September.
Exhibiting ceramists: Adam Hlušička, Daniel Švihel, Ema Harmanová, Emma Klára Kočnerová, Eva Polgaryová, Greta Kušnírová, Karolína Kučerová, Klára Čmejrková, Kryštof Vícha, Marie Boková, Markéta Picková, Markéta Špundová, Natálie Zbrubcová, Patrik Trska, Paula Benčaťová, Pavel Kolařík, Petr Matoušů, Sára Huclová, Vojtěch Lžičař, and Žofie Josefína Horáčková.
Exhibiting photographers: Ana-Maria Baescu, Radka Čejdíková, Adriána Ingeli, Lukáš Skála, Stanislav Palát, Miriam Pružincová, Darya Rasokhina, Jakub Demartini, Šimona Němečková, Alžběta Chrudimská, Kristína Opálková, Apolena Typltová, Deborah Menšlová, Viktorie Macánová, Samuel Petráš, Lukáš Hlavín, Barbora Hostašová, Eda Babák, Šimona Němečková, Lilit Lysa, Matěj Racek, and Barbora Žentelová.
Educational leadership: Milan Pekař, Tereza Sluková (Studio of Ceramics and Porcelain), Alena Kotzmannová, Karin Zadrick, and Vojtěch Votýpka (Studio of Photography II).
The exhibition was created in cooperation with the Czech Center Tokyo.
