Prague
Completed

Jiří David: The Blue Heart – A Light Installation Exhibition at Kunsthalle Praha

This striking contemporary installation at Kunsthalle Praha explores symbolism and artistic heritage, echoing Václav Havel's legacy.

Jiří David's compelling light installation, 'The Blue Heart', marks the finale of Kunsthalle Praha's 'Facade Project'. This 'Third Neon Heart', crafted with LED neon strips, reinterprets the artist's iconic heart symbols. It serves as a poignant homage, coinciding with Václav Havel's anniversary, blending art with historical significance. The azure-blue glow evokes deeper meaning, exploring contradictions in contemporary artistic expression.

About Jiří David: The Blue Heart at Kunsthalle Praha in Prague

Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for Jiří David: The Blue Heart at Kunsthalle Praha in Prague

Exhibition summary

Jiří David's 'The Blue Heart' is a light installation that concludes Kunsthalle Praha's 'Facade Project'. The artwork, a 'Third Neon Heart' built with LED neon strips, references the artist's earlier iconic heart symbols and is presented on the anniversary of Václav Havel's death.

Curatorial context

The light installation 'Jiří David: The Blue Heart' marks the end of Kunsthalle Praha's experimental 'Facade Project', which showcased art on the building's façade. Created by Czech artist Jiří David, this 'Third Neon Heart' utilizes LED neon strips on an aluminum structure. It builds upon David's previous 'Neon Heart' works, notably the first pulsating red version displayed over Prague Castle in 2002, which he and Václav Havel officially lit. The artist notes the azure-blue glow captures the essence of his earlier installations, with the current piece acting as an ethos to the original, described by David as levitating like a 'floating amoeba with a soft bluish glow.' The heart symbol, famously used by Václav Havel, has become an object open to interpretation, seen as either a kitschy emblem or a profound humanistic symbol. David's choice of LED neon further plays on contradictions, linking to both consumerist advertising and more radical art forms. According to chief curator Christelle Havranek, the heart symbol directly reflects Václav Havel's empathetic nature, a quality the Kunsthalle Praha aims to support by fostering international dialogue and tolerance. Art historian Petr Vaňous views the installation as re-entering Prague's contemporary context under different socio-political conditions, hoping it prompts further interpretation within the city's ongoing narrative. Sociologist Jiří Přibáň had previously lauded the 2002 'castle variation' as a pinnacle of post-1989 public art.

Admission and ticket notes

The installation concluded the 'Facade Project' and was lit on a specific date. Information about ongoing access or ticketing beyond the initial event is not detailed on this page.

Jiří David: The Blue Heart key exhibition facts

Review exhibition status, schedule, venue context, and attribution details for Jiří David: The Blue Heart at Kunsthalle Praha in Prague

Venue
Kunsthalle Praha
Current status
Completed
Exhibition schedule
Dec 18, 2022 – Dec 18, 2022
Artist line / attribution
The light installation is by Czech artist Jiří David, building on his earlier 'Neon Heart' works. The piece also carries symbolic connections to Václav Havel, former president, playwright, and essayist. The initiative is discussed by Kunsthalle Praha's chief curator, Christelle Havranek, and art historian Petr Vaňous.
More from Kunsthalle Praha
Explore additional exhibitions from the same institution
Review other exhibitions from Kunsthalle Praha in Prague to compare themes, timelines, and program direction while planning your museum visit.
Watercolor collage depicting intimate scenes from 1970s-80s New York nightlife, featuring diverse individuals in social gatherings, bars, and performances, reflecting Nan Goldin's 'The Ballad of Sexual Dependency'.
From Mar 23, 2023

Nan Goldin's 'The Ballad of Sexual Dependency' Photography Exhibition

Experience an intimate look into urban subcultures and LGBT+ history.

Explore Nan Goldin

Nan Goldin Exhibition
Watercolor illustration of the Zenger Transformer Station in Prague, featuring kinetic neon light sculptures on its facade, with the city's historic architecture in the background.

Explore The Zenger Transformer Station Exhibition on Electricity and Architecture in Prague

Discover pioneering art and industrial design from Prague's past.

Uncover the architectural and technological legacy of Prague's Zenger Electrical Substation. This exhibition showcases Vilém Kvasnička's 1930s design and features a multimedia project re-imagining Zdeněk Pěšánek's uninstalled light-kinetic sculptures. Journey through art, electricity, and urban development.

Zenger Exhibition Details
A watercolor illustration of a miniature concrete city featuring abstract Brutalist architecture sculptures, with a girl holding a dove in the foreground, evoking themes of memory and history.
From Nov 8, 2022

Krištof Kintera: Building Sculptures and Girl with a Dove Exhibition at Kunsthalle Praha

Reimagining Prague's communist-era Brutalist architecture through unique art sculptures.

Experience Krištof Kintera's fascinating "Building Sculptures" at Kunsthalle Praha. This exhibition reinterprets iconic communist-era buildings through miniature concrete models, offering a new perspective on Prague's architectural heritage and its complex history.

Kintera's Sculptures
Watercolor illustration of a modern art gallery with purple hues, featuring sculptures, paintings, and visitors exploring the exhibition space.
From Sep 6, 2023

Ovidiu Șandor Collection Exhibition: Lost in the Moment at Kunsthalle Praha

Explore a wide-ranging collection of Romanian modern and contemporary art.

This major exhibition at Kunsthalle Praha showcases the Ovidiu Șandor Collection, a significant presentation of Romanian art. Discover nearly 150 works by 79 artists, spanning modernism to contemporary pieces, and explore themes of identity, nature, and memory.

Exhibition Details
An immersive audiovisual installation by Lunchmeat Studio, depicting a melancholic scene of abandoned industrial structures with purple and grey tones, evoking the Japanese concept of 'mono no aware' and the beauty of decay.
From Oct 12, 2023

Lunchmeat Studio: The Grief of Misfit Cathedrals, an Audiovisual Exhibition at Kunsthalle Praha

Exploring urban decay and digital art through immersive sound and visuals.

This installation at Kunsthalle Praha showcases abandoned industrial structures as solitary urban presences. Experience an immersive artwork finding beauty in impermanence, inspired by Japanese philosophy and European romanticism.

Exhibition Details
Watercolor illustration of a gallery space with multiple screens displaying abstract purple and blue imagery, visitors observing a multi-channel video installation.
From Jan 3, 2024

John Sanborn: Notes on Us – A Video Art Exhibition at Kunsthalle Praha

Exploring love, mythology, and identity through groundbreaking video art.

Discover John Sanborn's unique perspective on contemporary themes at Kunsthalle Praha. The exhibition showcases his monumental video art and striking digital portraits, delving into narratives of love and fluid gender identity.

John Sanborn Exhibition
Prague

Find Current Exhibitions in Prague: Your Guide to Museum Shows

Explore Prague's vibrant art and history through diverse museum exhibitions.

Easily discover what's on display in Prague's museums and cultural institutions. Explore compelling temporary exhibitions covering a wide array of fascinating topics, from historical periods to modern artistic movements.