OPENING: Czech Center offers “Invitation” to examine glass tradition and innovation

Ales Vacuk’s contribution to the Czech Center’s "Invitation" exhibition.

Beginning April 18^th, the Czech Center based in New York will open a new glass exhibition entitled “Invitation.” This exhibit asks us to scrutinize the relationship between tradition and innovation within the glass world by displaying the works of both sixty and six years ago, of abroad and near locations, of experienced and new artists, of functionality and design – and exploring their complex intersections.

Of particular interest within the exhibition is the relationship between glass teacher and glass student, the ways in which the two play off and learn from one another. For instance, glass artist Vàclav MachaČ’s works will be on display alongside those of his teacher’s, Czech glass pioneer Stanislav Libensky. MachaČ’s pupils from the Secondary School of Glassmaking in Novy Bor, in turn, will also be exhibited, such as Svetlana Svatosova, Jakub Jan?ourek, and Ota Svoboda.

Though with a focus upon glass art from the Czech Republic, the exhibition promises to deliver an international perspective as well. Katerina Verguelis, who aided in the building of the glass studio at Israel’s Bezalel Academy, will have work on display. So will Korean artist Song Mi Kim, a 2009 recipient of the Red Dot Design Award. Other countries represented will be the U.S., Slovakia, Luxembourg, and France.

“Invitation” will hold an opening reception on April 18^th from 6:30-8:30PM. The exhibition will remain open until May 30^th.

—Anna Tatelman

— Anna Tatelman