This exhibition explores the significant roles of Valerian Karoušek and Jiří Novák in shaping 1960s Czech sculpture, merging figurative and constructivist styles with innovative materials. It highlights their shared artistic background and individual explorations inspired by nature, science, and the cosmos.
The exhibition revisits the pivotal contributions of Valerian Karoušek (1929–1970) and Jiří Novák (1922–2010) to Czech sculpture during the 1960s. Both artists, who studied at the Prague Academy and were part of the M 57 group, are recognized for their innovative approaches that fused figurative and constructivist tendencies with the use of novel materials and concepts. Their joint participation in EXPO '58 and creation of public space works underscore their prominence.
Karoušek's work often integrated stone and metal, drawing inspiration from the natural world and his passion for mountaineering, tragically cut short during his 1970 Andes expedition. Novák, conversely, delved into metal constructions, exploring themes of movement, chance, and the elements of air and water. Together, their artistic legacies continue to resonate, demonstrating a profound integration of art, science, and philosophy, and reaffirming humanity's deep connection to the natural world and the broader cosmos.