Prague
Completed

Discover the "Undercurrent" Group Exhibition at Rudolfinum Gallery Featuring Contemporary European Painting

Explore distinct artistic approaches to exaggeration and irony, delving into the hidden depths of human experience.

Undercurrent presented a notable group exhibition at Rudolfinum Gallery, bringing together four painters born around the 1970s. This compelling show explored themes of exaggeration, irony, and a poignant engagement with kitsch, revealing deeper aspects of human experience and the unknown. Artists skillfully referenced a deep understanding of European artistic legacy to craft new, refined dramas through their distinct practices.

About Undercurrent at Galerie Rudolfinum in Prague

Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for Undercurrent at Galerie Rudolfinum in Prague

Exhibition summary

This group exhibition featured four painters born around 1970, exploring themes of exaggeration, irony, and the hidden depths of fear through their distinct artistic approaches. The artists engage with European culture and artistic legacy to create new meanings.

Curatorial context

Undercurrent was a significant group exhibition presenting four painters who were born around 1970. The exhibition focused on their creative expressions that accented exaggeration, irony, and a poignant sense of work with kitsch, which curiously hid personal depravity as well as the dark depths of fear from the unknown. Each artist employed unique creative tools that underscored the characteristics of their works. Jiří Straka's contributions featured classic Chinese ink painting in an uncommon, monumental standard, contrasting with ironic themes of pure European provenance. Martin Eder's work explored the themes of depressed kitsch, executed with an academic chiaroscuro style, playing with the dejected appetite of wide social ranks. Jonathan Meese, through his sculptures, brilliantly opened the rich scale of sculptural drama, referencing centuries of European sculpture. Josef Bolf's technically demanding paintings delved deepest into the obscure layers of unconsciousness and infantile remembrance. What united all these artists was a firm basis in deeply understood and experienced history of European culture and artistic legacy, which they masterfully employed with precise knowledge to create new meanings in their refined dramas.

Admission and ticket notes

The page mentions that last entry to the exhibition is strictly 30 minutes before closing time. It also states that visitors can return on another day with voluntary admission, suggesting a flexible entry policy for this past exhibition. However, specific pricing or booking details are not provided for this past event. "If you don’t have enough time today, you can see part of the exhibition now and return to the gallery on another day – admission is voluntary."

Undercurrent key exhibition facts

Review exhibition status, schedule, venue context, and attribution details for Undercurrent at Galerie Rudolfinum in Prague

Venue
Galerie Rudolfinum
Current status
Completed
Exhibition schedule
May 7, 2009 – Aug 16, 2009
Artist line / attribution
Featured artists include Jiří Straka, Martin Eder, Jonathan Meese, and Josef Bolf.
More from Galerie Rudolfinum
Explore additional exhibitions from the same institution
Review other exhibitions from Galerie Rudolfinum in Prague to compare themes, timelines, and program direction while planning your museum visit.
The Last Painting Exhibition at Galerie Rudolfinum Prague
From Dec 18, 1997

The Last Painting Exhibition at Galerie Rudolfinum Prague

Exploring the 1997 revival of traditional Czech painting.

Delve into a key historical exhibition from Prague’s contemporary art archive. Learn how emerging Czech artists challenged the boundaries of the traditional medium through conceptual painting.

Exhibition Overview
Faces and Bodies of the Middle Kingdom Exhibition at Galerie Rudolfinum
From Mar 13, 1997

Faces and Bodies of the Middle Kingdom Exhibition at Galerie Rudolfinum

A landmark showcase of 1990s Chinese avant-garde art.

Explore a collection of eighty-seven works focusing on portraiture and figurative representation. Created by nineteen prominent artists, this display highlights the creative forces of the 1990s avant-garde movement.

View Exhibition Details
Watercolor illustration of the Decadence International Art Exhibition, featuring purple-hued gallery space with silhouetted visitors viewing provocative artworks on the walls.

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

Explore boundary-pushing art addressing excess, alienation, and taboo themes.

Explore 'Decadence Now! Visions of Excess,' an international exhibition examining decadence in contemporary art. Discover works by artists like Jeff Koons and Cindy Sherman, pushing boundaries and challenging societal norms through provocative themes. This project fosters crucial discussions on significant cultural topics.

View Exhibition
Watercolor illustration of an art gallery exhibition featuring Martin Mainer's recent works on nature and the forest, with visitors viewing paintings in a purple-hued space.
From Oct 8, 1999

Martin Mainer: Trailer of the Forest of Forests Exhibition at Galerie Rudolfinum

A survey of contemporary Czech painting from a significant artist.

Delve into the artistry of Martin Mainer through his 'Trailer of the Forest of Forests' exhibition. This collection at Galerie Rudolfinum highlights works from 1998–1999 by the acclaimed Czech painter.

Mainer Exhibition
Watercolor illustration of a contemporary Chinese photography exhibition titled 'A Strange Heaven' with visitors viewing artworks in a gallery space with purple lighting and banners.
From Sep 4, 2003

A Strange Heaven: Discover Contemporary Chinese Photography and Visual Arts

Features over 200 photographic works by 40+ artists from the 1990s.

This exhibition explored contemporary Chinese photography, showcasing its emergence as a distinct art discipline. It provided a broad perspective on the nation's artistic potential through numerous works.

A Strange Heaven Exhibition
Watercolor illustration of a gallery space with visitors viewing vibrant abstract paintings in purple, blue, and orange tones on white walls.
From Oct 5, 2006

ACNE: Discover Czech Painting from the Richard Adam Collection at Rudolfinum Gallery

A comprehensive survey of post-1980s contemporary art and diverse artistic styles.

This exhibition surveys influential Czech painting from the mid-1980s onward, drawn from a major private collection. It features works by various artistic generations and movements, including abstract and realist styles. Delve into key developments in contemporary art.

ACNE 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.