Spaces, Objects, Authors and Curators: Building a Cultural Public in the Czech Lands 1790–1918
Provider: GA ČR, 24-12190S
Duration: 2024–2026
Recipient: Ústav dějin umění AV ČR, v. v. i.
Principal Investigator: Pavla Machalíková
Co-Investigators: Taťána Petrasová, Tomáš Winter, Lucie Česká
External Collaboration: Andrew Graciano (School of Visul Arts and Design, University of South Carolina), Markéta Theinhardt (Paris – Sorbonne, UFR d´Études slaves), Jakub Zarzycki (University of Wrocław), Miha Valant (University of Ljubljana), Nóra Veszprémi (University of Birmingham), Lucie Večerníková (Archiv KPR – Archiv NGP), Ying Wu (Université Paris Sorbonne)
The beginnings of displaying art in the Czech Lands were determined by two different factors. The curators who in the modern history served as interprets of contemporary art were not yet a part of the art sphere and their role was taking shape behind the display events. Besides, the cultural phenomenon of exhibiting included contemporary art and architecture in varied contexts: not only academic exhibitions, but also industrial, regional or historical ones.
The project examines the rise of the cultural public in the Czech Lands as a part of the modern European discussion about the role of art for the public sphere and about its making public. The reflection of the rise of the curator opens also a perspective on the bifurcation in practice between academic-based art historians and curators. The way both groups address the public differs markedly. Therefore, the project aims at a deeper understanding of how exhibitions and the physical display of objects shape the public awareness of the meanings, purposes and consequences of art-viewing for various publics.
Conducted in the Department of Art of the 19th–21st centuries, IAH CAS, the project fosters international cooperation within the team of specialists in art history and curatorial studies. It continues the line of past research of the department in the field of exhibition histories and continues its cooperation with students and young researchers.
