Artlife: A Permanent Exhibition of European Applied Arts and Design from the Middle Ages to the 21st Century

This permanent exhibition showcases the breadth of European applied arts and design from the Middle Ages to the 21st century. It explores how art and design intertwine with human life, accompanying rituals, celebrations, and everyday experiences, transforming both functionally and symbolically.

The permanent exhibition at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague presents a multi-dimensional view of European applied arts and design, emphasizing their dynamic relationship with human life across centuries. The core theme, 'art in the motion of life,' explores how objects and design not only serve functions but also profoundly shape lifestyles, rituals, celebrations, and our understanding of the world. From liturgical items and Renaissance cabinets of curiosities to 19th-century heirlooms and modern design's social ambitions, the exhibition illustrates how art transforms human experiences and aspirations. The exhibition delves into the specific nature of applied arts and design, highlighting their capacity to transcend mere visual appreciation and actively shape human situations. It underscores the existential meaning, purpose, and creation context of these items, without overshadowing the inherent quality of the exhibits, the excellence of their creators, or the poetics found in everyday objects. The collection demonstrates the profound impact of applied arts and design on both real and fictional worlds, serving as a tribute to the institution's legacy and the generations of experts and benefactors who have contributed to its rich collections since 1885.

Admission: full CZK 250 | concession CZK 120 Kč. Tickets can be purchased online.