Synopses & Reviews
In 1928 Czech artistis Jindrich and#352;tyrskand#253; and Toyen published theand#160;
Artificielismus (Artificialism) manifesto, calling for "new formations"and#160;in contemporary art. The term aptly reflects the spirit of adventure that Houston philanthropists Roy and Mary Cullen brought to forming a comprehensive collection devoted to the radical developments of Czech art in the first decades of the twentieth century.
New Formations:and#160;Czech Avant-Garde Art and Modern Glass from the Roy and Mary Cullen Collection profiles this endeavor, highlighting more than 150 examples from this extraordinary collection, which encompasses paintings, drawings, prints, collages, photographs, artist-produced books, and rare examples of modern glass.
Generously illustrated with over 350 full-color plates, this catalogue highlights the major figures of the Czech avant-garde, including Josef and#352;and#237;ma, Karel Teige, Jindrich and#352;tyrskand#253;, and Toyen, among many others. Scholars Karel Srp and Lenka Bydand#382;ovskand#225; bring to light the complex evolution and artistic exchanges of this era, which saw the emergence of the uniquely Czech movements of Devetsil, Poetism, and Artificialism, as well as these artists' engagements with Surrealism and other major intellectual currents of the time. Particular attention is given to artists' publications, and a number of period texts have been translated for this catalogue as well. The authors also place the Czech avant-garde in a larger historical context, as World War IIand#160;and cold war shifts in the political landscape doomed many of these artists to decades of obscurity and exile.
In addition, the publication features an extended interview with Roy and Mary Cullen conducted by Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, curator Alison de Lima Greene and an insightful essay by Jan Mergl, an expert in Bohemian glass, discussing the stylistic and technical evolution of modern Czech glass reflected by works in the Cullen collection.
Review
"[T]he most comprehensive English-language look at this period of art, illuminating a long-ignored field. A satisfying volume for lovers of Czech culture and readers who want to increase their knowledge of early 20th-century European avant-garde art."and#8212;Kathryn Wekselman, Library Journal
Synopsis
Houston collectors Mary and Roy Cullen visited Czechoslovakia just after the Velvet Revolution in 1989 and became captivated by Czech art. They began collecting 20th-century modernist and avant-garde works in a variety of media, including paintings, photography, collages, drawings, artists' books, and glass. This generously illustrated catalogue is the first to detail their extensive collection.
An interview with the Cullens traces the evolution of their collection, and noted Czech scholars Karel Srp and Lenka Bydžovská delve into their in-depth holdings of landmark journals and artists' books, which include works by prominent artists such as Toyen, Josef Šíma, Karel Teige, and Jindrich Štyrský. The publication presents original texts by artists and writers of the period, many of which have been translated into English for the first time. Another focus of the book is the tradition of Czech glass art and its technical and artistic innovations, described in detail by glass expert Jan Mergl. New Formations brings these various facets of Czech artistic output together to demonstrate the rich contributions of Czech artists in the 20th century.
About the Author
Karel Srp is a curator at the City Gallery Prague. Lenka Bydand#382;ovskand#225; is a researcher at the Institute of Art History of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague. Alison de Lima Greene is curator of contemporary art and special projects at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Jan Mergl is deputy director for collections at the Museum of West Bohemia in Plzeand#328;.