Contemporary Czech Art in Berlin

Tschechisches Zentrum Berlin

Contemporary Czech Art in Berlin ist eine online-Serie des Tschechischen Zentrums Berlin zur zeitgenössischen Kunst in Zeiten von Corona. In kurzen Interviews stellen wir zeitgenössische Künstlerinnen und Künstler mit Wurzeln in Tschechien und/oder der Slowakei vor, Kreative, die schon länger oder erst kurz in Berlin leben. Czech Contemporary Art in Berlin is an online series by the Czech Centre Berlin about contemporary art in times of Corona. We present artists with Czech and/or Slovak roots, living in Berlin.

  1. Contemporary Czech Art in Berlin w/ Libuše Jarcovjáková, Lucie Černá and Klára Tasovská about photographic series T-Club

    03. 04. 2025

    Contemporary Czech Art in Berlin w/ Libuše Jarcovjáková, Lucie Černá and Klára Tasovská about photographic series T-Club

    In the latest episode of the Contemporary Czech Art in Berlin podcast, Simona Binko sits down with Czech photographer Libuše Jarcovjáková, curator Lucie Černá, and film director Klára Tasovská to discuss the powerful photographic series T-Club, which captures the underground LGBTQ+ scene in 1980s Prague. The conversation explores the exhibition’s significance, the success of the award-winning documentary film, Jarcovjáková’s personal experiences behind the photos, and the lasting impact of these images today. Libuše shares the process behind her intimate portrayal of life in the T-Club, describing it as a rare moment of freedom amidst a repressive political landscape. She recounts how, after months of immersion in the space, she began photographing the vibrant yet hidden world that existed there. Her work offers a vivid and emotional snapshot of a marginalized community during a time of great societal pressure. Lucie discusses her curatorial approach to the T-Club exhibition in Berlin, emphasizing the importance of creating a space that captures the club’s atmosphere and the sense of liberation it provided. She highlights the success of the project, including the publication of a book and its continued international recognition. This success is also due to the documentary film Noch bin ich nicht, wer ich sein möchte, directed by Klára Tasovská, which brings Libuše’s photography to life, combining visual storytelling with Jarcovjáková’s diary entries and photographs. The film has been well received, not only in German cinemas but also internationally. It earned several film award nominations and won the Czech Lion Award for Best documentary feature and Best film editing. For those interested in Czech photography, queer history, or the interplay between personal and political storytelling, this episode offers a rich and compelling listen. T-Club – Just Like in Paradise is on view at KVOST until 19. 4. 2025, while Jarcovjáková’s retrospective at the National Gallery Prague runs through March. The film Noch bin ich nicht, wer ich sein möchte is currently screening in German cinemas. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the extraordinary work of a photographer who has fearlessly documented the unseen.

    31 min
  2. Contemporary Czech Art in Berlin w/ Lucie Nováčková, Klara Hobza & Marthe Howitz about (RE)Union

    28. 11. 2024

    Contemporary Czech Art in Berlin w/ Lucie Nováčková, Klara Hobza & Marthe Howitz about (RE)Union

    This episode highlights the artistic journey and innovative projects spearheaded by Czech artist Lucie Nováčková during her residency with Culterim in Biesenthal, Germany, initiated by the Czech Centre Berlin. Her project, Reunion, explored themes of connection, transformation, and self-discovery through a 430-kilometer pilgrimage from Prague to Berlin. Along the way, Lucie documented her experiences using journal entries and a textile map, merging traditional craft with conceptual artistry. She emphasized the parallels between physical movement and the act of sewing, using a red thread to metaphorically “embroider” the landscape. Her journey also delved into feminist perspectives, midlife reflection, and the intimate relationship between humans and their environment, drawing inspiration from Czech literary traditions and her personal history. Lucie's collaboration with her cousin, Berlin-based artist Klara Hobza, marked the culmination of Reunion. Their connection revealed striking similarities in their artistic approaches, such as exploring landscapes through physical experience—Lucie by walking, Klára through scuba diving European rivers to uncover hidden histories. Biesenthal, with its vibrant artistic community and tranquil natural surroundings, provided a supportive space for this project. Culterim residency program, which prioritizes collaboration and personal growth within a familial atmosphere, enriched Lucia’s experience. The initiative exemplifies the potential of creative residencies to foster deep artistic inquiry, intercultural exchange, and enduring bonds among artists. This was first year that the Czech Centres offered a two-month residency to an artist from Czechia in collaboration with Culterim and IDU, initiated by the Czech Centre Berlin as part of the long-term project Contemporary Czech Art in Berlin (CCAiB), which aims to promote mapping, information and connections in the field of contemporary visual art between the Czech Republic and Berlin/Germany.

    33 min

O relácii

Contemporary Czech Art in Berlin ist eine online-Serie des Tschechischen Zentrums Berlin zur zeitgenössischen Kunst in Zeiten von Corona. In kurzen Interviews stellen wir zeitgenössische Künstlerinnen und Künstler mit Wurzeln in Tschechien und/oder der Slowakei vor, Kreative, die schon länger oder erst kurz in Berlin leben. Czech Contemporary Art in Berlin is an online series by the Czech Centre Berlin about contemporary art in times of Corona. We present artists with Czech and/or Slovak roots, living in Berlin.