NEWS | 21. 4. 2017

Predominantly large-format images sophisticated to the smallest detail are the clue of hyperrealists. Their first truly representative domestic show is the Olomouc Museum of Modern Art at the Fascination of Reality / Hyperrealism exhibition in Czech painting.

“The title of the exhibition tries to capture the exceptional obsession – to see and to see the painted ones precisely and undistorted,” she said at the opening, curator and co-author of the exhibition, Barbora Kundračíková. “Although this may seem surprising, this exhibition is a unique attempt in the Czech environment to map Czech hyperrealistic work. The reason is – perhaps paradoxically – technical excellence of paintings. It is in the context of images created by other media, such as photographs, but also bad art and kitsch. Flattering hyperrealism as a whole is more acceptable than risking that kitsch is recognized as valuable, “added Kundračíková.

The exhibition in chronological order shows how the relationship of Czech authors to reality, to painting and painting has changed. “I would never have thought of it and it is an honor for me to have paintings on the same exhibition as pioneers of Czech hyperrealism Theodor Pištěk, Bedřich Dlouhý, Pavel Nešleha or my teacher Zdeněk Beran,” said the co-author of the exhibition, the painter Michal Ožibko, who graduated from Berans Studio Classical paintings of the Prague Academy of Fine Arts. “Its the real breakthrough of all generations of authors. After all, the youngest exhibitor Adam Kaspar is only twenty-five years old, “added Ožibko.

The Fascination of Facts exhibition also produced an accompanying publication of the same name, which goes beyond the standard catalog. This is the first comprehensive work that maps Czech hyperrealism. “Im not afraid to say that this publication will become a kind of bible of hyperrealism. And I thank all those who have been involved in it. This applies not only to authors and their collaborators, but also to sponsors without the help of which this book would not have come at all, “said Michal Soukup, Director of the Olomouc Museum of Art.

The Fascination of Facts / Hyperrealism exhibition in Czech painting will be seen in the Museum of Modern Art in Olomouc until 10. 9. 2017.

Photo: Tereza Hrubá