Prague
Completed

Unveiling "MIDNIGHT OF ART": Karel Babíček’s Influential Private Collection of Czech Conceptual Art

Discover the influential private collection of Karel Babíček, a major figure in the Czech art scene.

The "MIDNIGHT OF ART" exhibition unveils Karel Babíček’s extensive private collection, a key figure in the Czech art scene. It explores his unique approach to conceptual and multimedia works, started with Prague's Behémót Gallery in 1991. This collection offers a compelling look at the creative surge during post-revolution Czech democracy, featuring works by prominent artists.

About MIDNIGHT OF ART. Karel Babíček’s Collection at Kunsthalle Praha in Prague

Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for MIDNIGHT OF ART. Karel Babíček’s Collection at Kunsthalle Praha in Prague

Exhibition summary

This exhibition explores the private collection of Karel Babíček, a significant figure in the Czech art scene as a collector, curator, and entrepreneur. It showcases his approach to collecting conceptual and multimedia works, begun with the Behémót Gallery in 1991.

Curatorial context

The exhibition 'MIDNIGHT OF ART. Karel Babíček’s Collection' is part of the 'Ways of Collecting' series, which unveils private collections seldom seen by the public. Karel Babíček, a collector, curator, and entrepreneur, founded Prague's Behémót Gallery in 1991, championing conceptual works and supporting their creation. This exhibition delves into his extensive collection, which includes over 120 works by prominent Czech artists such as Krištof Kintera, Vladimír Kokolia, Josef Žáček, and others. Babíček's influence extended to managing and curating Prague’s Nová síň (New Hall) in the late 1990s, where he organized large international projects. His activities profoundly shaped the art scene, leaving a lasting impact beyond local borders. Babíček views his collection as a unified whole, documenting the creative surge in post-revolution Czech democracy and the country's newfound freedom, with aspirations for its preservation.

MIDNIGHT OF ART. Karel Babíček’s Collection key exhibition facts

Review exhibition status, schedule, venue context, and attribution details for MIDNIGHT OF ART. Karel Babíček’s Collection at Kunsthalle Praha in Prague

Venue
Kunsthalle Praha
Current status
Completed
Exhibition schedule
Jul 1, 2022 – Sep 30, 2022
Artist line / attribution
The collection includes works by Krištof Kintera, Vladimír Kokolia, Petr Kvíčala, Vladimír Merta, Jiří Příhoda, Václav Stratil, Adriena Šimotová, Kateřina Vincourová, Margita Titlová-Ylovsky, Josef Žáček, among others. The exhibition series concept was by Christelle Havranek, curated by Lenka Lindaurová, with architecture by Jiří Příhoda, and graphic design by Robert V. Novák.
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.