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Decadence Now! Visions of Excess: Exploring Contemporary Art and Decadence at Rudolfinum Gallery

This international exhibition showcases artists engaging with challenging, taboo-breaking themes of excess, alienation, and modern culture.

The 'Decadence Now! Visions of Excess' exhibition at Rudolfinum Gallery explores the complex theme of decadence in contemporary art. This international presentation is structured thematically, inviting visitors to engage with a cohesive narrative across sequential sections. It highlights artistic engagement with challenging subjects like alienation, beauty, and excess, pushing cultural boundaries and fostering discussion on modern society.

About Decadence Now! Visions of Excess at Galerie Rudolfinum in Prague

Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for Decadence Now! Visions of Excess at Galerie Rudolfinum in Prague

Exhibition summary

Decadence Now! Visions of Excess is an international exhibition that conceptually explores the theme of decadence in contemporary art. Divided thematically, it examines artists' engagement with excessive and taboo-breaking themes, reflecting on alienation, beauty, madness, and death.

Curatorial context

The Decadence Now! Visions of Excess exhibition delves into the complex concept of decadence as it manifests in contemporary artistic practice. Rather than a chronological approach, the exhibition is structured thematically, with sequential sections that logically connect and form a cohesive narrative. This project acknowledges the re-emergence of decadence as a relevant theme in art theory and current culture, often in response to societal crises and the darker aspects of human experience. The exhibition showcases artists whose work, beginning from the 1970s, engages with typical decadent themes, pushing boundaries and challenging norms. Artists such as Jeff Koons, Cindy Sherman, Nobuyoshi Araki, Damien Hirst, and Robert Mapplethorpe are presented within this context. The exhibition aims to foster discussion on key themes like alienation, ugliness, beauty, hallucination, death, pornography, drugs, sickness, and madness, which are fundamental to understanding current culture and society. It highlights how decadent art is inherently subversive, provocative, and elicits strong reactions, demanding a clear stance from the viewer and often characterized by outsider individualism and depersonalized voyeurism.

Admission and ticket notes

The page mentions that admission is voluntary, suggesting visitors can return on another day. Last entry is strictly 30 minutes before closing time. Specific opening hours and days are not provided, but imply the exhibition is generally accessible Tuesday-Sunday, though all days are listed as CLOSED. Visitors are directed to contact information for maps and further details.

Decadence Now! Visions of Excess key exhibition facts

Review exhibition status, schedule, venue context, and attribution details for Decadence Now! Visions of Excess at Galerie Rudolfinum in Prague

Venue
Galerie Rudolfinum
Current status
Open now
Exhibition schedule
Information not currently available
Artist line / attribution
The exhibition features a broad range of contemporary artists including Matthew Barney, Genesis Breyer P-Orridge, Gilbert & George, Gottfried Helnwein, Damien Hirst, Jürgen Klauke, Robert Mapplethorpe, Yasumasa Morimura, Catherine Opie, Pierre et Gilles, Cindy Sherman, Nobuyoshi Araki, Jake and Dinos Chapman, Jeff Koons, and Joel-Peter Witkin, among many others across its thematic sections.
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