The title of the exhibition, Black Suns, is inspired by one of the crucial poem metaphors. It introduces the works of symbolism, surrealism and existentialism, focusing on dramatic development of Czech modern art that had lasted 20 years, covering the period from the 2nd half of 1920’s to 1st half of 1940s. Moreover, it depicts the stimulating, but very complex period full of political, social and artistic twists and turns. The aim of Black Suns is to underline the parallel work several generations, which reacted to cubism, a style that was dying out, and to surrealism, a newly formed force, in a distinctive way. The works of over 40 artists will be displayed – painters, sculptors, photographers and architects, many of whom contributed to the history European art: Toyen, Jindřich Štyrský, Josef Šíma, Vincenc Makovský, Hana Wichterlová, František Kupka, Vojtěch Preissig, Emil Filla, Josef Čapek, Jan Zrzavý, Josef Váchal, František Hudeček, Alén Diviš, Josef Lada, Zdeněk Rykr, or Karel Černý. In relation to these authors, some forgotten personalities will also be represented at the exhibition: Rudolf Michalik and Valentin Držkovic.
At the turn of 1920s and 1930s, feelings of loneliness, nostalgia, melancholy and anxiety began to permeate the art works, manifested by various means. The most indicative features were psychological types of works that originated in the minds of many artists. Moreover, the difficult political and social atmosphere of 1930s together with economic crisis and approaching danger of the loss of Czechoslovak independence contributed to this element.
The exhibition Black Suns brings us a fascinating picture of Czech art. It focuses on the adverse side of modernity that is in stark contrast to the rest of the period expression.
Karel Srp
Curators: Lenka Bydžovská, Vojtěch Lahoda a Karel Srp
Thanks go to all institutions and private collectors who participate in the exhibition: Vojenský historický ústav Praha, Národní Galerie v Praze, Památník národního písemnictví, Krajská galerie ve Zlíně, Galerie Hlavního města Prahy, Oblastní galerie v Liberci, Galerie vysočiny v Jihlavě, Západočeská galerie v Plzni, Muzeum hry v Jičíně, Památník Terezín, Oblastní galerie Liberec, Muzeum umění Olomouc, Uměleckoprůmyslové muzeum, Muzeum města Brna, Polabské muzeum Poděbrady, Městské muzeum Chotěboř, Moravská galerie v Brně, Alšova jihočeská galerie, Slovenská národní galerie, Galerie moderního umění v Hradci Králové, Galerie moderního umění v Roudnici nad Labem, Severočeská galerie výtvarného umění v Litoměřicích, Galerie umění Karlovy Vary, Galerie výtvarného umění v Chebu, Východočeská galerie v Pardubicích, Muzeum Šumavy v Sušici, Galerie Prinz Prager, Galerie Kodl, Galerie Zlatá husa, Muzeum Kampa nadace Jana a Medy Mládkových, Národní památkový ústav, ú.o.p. Ostrava and private collectors.