Radek Kratina: Constants and Variables – A Postwar Art Exhibition at Museum Kampa

This exhibition explores the work of Radek Kratina, a significant sculptor and graphic artist known for his rationally oriented postwar art. The display showcases his artistic evolution from early applied art to complex material structures and kinetic variables, emphasizing principles of order, transformation, and viewer participation.

The work of Radek Kratina (1928–1999), a pivotal figure in rationally oriented postwar Czechoslovak art, is presented in this exhibition, highlighting his contributions to neo-constructivist tendencies. Kratina's artistic journey began with textile designs and wooden toys, which informed his later exploration of material structures and kinetic variables. Since 1963, he developed works based on principles of order, determinateness, and transformation, moving away from existential expression towards an objective process of creation. The exhibition details Kratina's early material structures, such as those made from alphabet pasta, cork stoppers, and matches, some of which invited viewer interaction by allowing manipulation of the elements. Following this, from 1965, he created wooden reliefs and 'variables' using simple geometric elements organized on axes or within frames, emphasizing the potential for change through shifting, turning, or altering angles. These works often employed a logical, almost engineered application of primary industrial colors. After 1970, Kratina transitioned to metal for his variables, using workshop fabrication to achieve greater precision and explore more complex manipulations and transformations through pivots and rotating parts, offering viewers an active role in shaping the artwork and experiencing its inherent creative energy.

The page does not provide specific ticketing information for this exhibition. Visitors are directed to the general museum website for admission details, and the number of visitors (12,084) is noted, suggesting it was a well-attended exhibition. Further details regarding booking or admission fees would need to be sought through the museum's official channels. This exhibition was part of the regular programming at Museum Kampa and was held in the Stables Building hall. As an exhibition at a museum, general admission policies would likely apply. No specific pricing or booking instructions related solely to the 'Constants and Variables' exhibition are available on this page. Visitors are encouraged to check the museum's main ticketing information for current details. It is assumed that general museum admission would grant access to this exhibition, but specific ticketing arrangements are not detailed here. The provided visitor count indicates significant interest. No direct ticketing link or price information is provided for this specific exhibition on the source page. Visitors would typically consult the museum's main ticketing section for general admission policies and potential exhibition-specific requirements.