Organizers: Embassy of the Czech Republic in Ankara, Cermodern, Czech Centres

Partners: Bilkent University, Cermodern, Paşabahçe, Tepta

List of Designers and Exhibitors: Nastassia Aleinikava, Michal Bačák, Bomma, Dechem Studio, Emel Erdem, Geometr, Inneke Hans, K.O.V. studio, Křehký Gallery, Lasvit, Moser, Paşabahçe, Jiří Pelcl, Milan Pekař, Rony Plesl, Rückl, Roman Šedina, Vratislav Šotola, Klára Šumová.

Shapes and Shapers: Contemporary Czech Design is curated by Tereza Porybná

Story of Czech Design is curated by Jakub Berdych Karpelis, Iva Knobloch and Josef Tomšej

#shapesandshapers

 

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

 

Czech Republic is internationally well-known for its famous Bohemian crystal and centuries old glass tradition, that belongs to one of the oldest in Europe. But there is much more to Czech design! Presenting a selection of some of the best Czech companies and designers, Shapes and Shapers: Contemporary Czech Design is the largest exhibition of Czech design in Turkey to date. Organized by the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Ankara and the Czech Centres, the exhibition is hosted by Ankara´s leading contemporary arts gallery Cermodern from September 28 – October 30, 2019.

 

Shapes and Shapers is divided into three main parts. The Story of Czech Design introduces the development of design in the Czech Republic between 1918-2018 and features some of the most iconic objects created in the past century. From Libuše Niklová´s inflatable toys, through cubist ceramics and furniture to city bikes, all the object are timeless in their quality and also because of the fact they are either still being manufactured.

The second section, presented in Cermodern´s North Gallery, is a showcase of internationally successful Czech design brands. Drawing inspiration from the tradition of Czech glassmaking, the selection focuses lighting products and glassware and includes some spectacular chandeliers by Lasvit, urban cool designs by Bomma, and of course the ageless hand-blown vases by Moser.  As a special treat, Turkish design brand Paşabahçe will present their collection developed with Czech glass artist Rony Plesl.

 

The third and last section aims to blur the usual boundaries between design and fine-arts and takes us into the word of free creativity and emerging designers, presenting work that has never been exhibited in Turkey before. Selected objects contain textiles (with Tereza Rosalie Kladošová´s stunning fabrics from recycled Merino wool being one of the exhibition´s highligts),  jewellery (including the award-winning eye-wear collection by Nastassia Aleinikava and work by students of Prague´s Academy of Art, Architecture and Design), and of course glass and ceramics (glowing uranium glass vases by Rony Plesl, elegant minimalist Bandaska collection by Dechem Studio, or original porcelain tableware illustrated by Michal Bačák).  The richness of approaches, talent and a certain whimsical quality the upcoming design generation transform Cermodern´s South Gallery into a breath-taking playground of forms and materials.

 

The exhibition opening weekend will be accompanied by live glass-blowing performances by Dechem Studio and ceramics spraying show by Roman Šedina.