TONO STANO AT MESTSKA KNIHOVNA: WHERE SHADOWS, SHAPES, AND STORIES MEET

If you find yourself wandering Prague's historic streets and craving a date with contemporary photography, make your way to Městská Knihovna (Municipal Library) for Tono Stano’s show. This one is worth the stop — and I mean it.

The show takes you through Tono Stano’s photographic journey, including a few early pieces from his school days. Even back then, you can see how cinematic his way of seeing and capturing the world was.

Walking into the first part of the exhibition feels like stepping into a quiet world made of striking black and white shapes. Stano’s early photographs play with the human body like a sculptor plays with clay: stretching, twisting, hiding. The way he posed his models felt both beautiful and a little unsettling at times, especially when faces were hidden or obscured. Some images had a hint of menace to them, but it made the beauty stand out even more. I found myself slowing down to really look at how each photo was built. They felt almost like little silent performances captured on paper.

Moving into the next section, Stano switches gears. Here, he places simple geometric forms out in nature (sadly, I did not snap a picture there). It’s an interesting contrast — the wildness of the outdoors meeting the clean lines of man-made shapes.

There is also a section of the show called “White Shadow” where the artist plays with printed negatives of his work. I didn’t love the “White Shadow” as much (it felt a bit heavier and less connected to the rest of the show), but the idea still made me think.

For those who know me already will have guessed that one of my favorite parts was seeing the portraits Tono Stano created for the Karlovy Vary Film Festival. Those portraits capture a kind of effortless cool that makes you want to know the story behind every face. And the famous faces clearly play along with the story that the photographer dreamt up for the shoot! Apart from the photographs themselves, I loved finding out that he’s not just the man behind the camera. He also designed the Karlovy Vary Film Festival’s Crystal Globe back in 2001!

I enjoyed reading about his magazine collaboration with Aleš Najbrt, too. Such a cool example of two creative minds coming together to build something iconic.

The whole show is beautifully put together by curators Magdalena Juříková and Helena Musilová, and you can really feel Stano’s hand in it too. The design of the show itself is not too shabby, either, thanks to Aleš Najbrt and his team.

The Městská Knihovna gallery itself is worth mentioning, too. Tucked away on the upper floors of a beautiful neoclassical building just steps from the Old Town Square, it’s one of those Prague secrets that still feels a little undiscovered. Plus, the light streaming through the skylights makes the art feel even more alive.

If you’re in Prague soon, put this show on your list. It’s the kind of exhibition that doesn’t just stay in the gallery. It lingers in your mind long after you’ve stepped back out into the city streets.

Where:
Městská knihovna Gallery, 2nd Floor, Mariánské náměstí 1, Prague 1
When:
Check current opening hours at ghmp.cz

SIGNAL FESTIVAL 2024: IMMERSIVE LIGHT INSTALLATIONS AND DIGITAL ART AT PRAGUE'S ICONIC LANDMARKS

SpY Orb, Prague Castle

There’s something truly magical about wandering the streets of Prague during Signal Festival. For twelve years now, every mid-October, the city becomes a living canvas, blending the historical grandeur of its architecture with the vibrant pulse of digital art.

This year was no different. And, since I was in Prague during this time, for the first time in years, it was only natural for me to dive into the magic on a Friday night, trying to cover as much of both festival routes as possible.

I started out in Kunsthalle, in the paid “Gallery Zone” portion of the festival. The gallery is home to the “Strange Attractions” show by United Visual Artists which was recommended by the festival founder himself. I liked it and I think you might too (it’s on display at the gallery for a few days after the official end of the festival on October 13). That said, one of my absolute highlights was the SpY ORB in the South Gardens of Prague Castle. It’s a glowing sphere that felt both otherworldly and perfectly in tune with the impressive castle surroundings. There’s something about the way it just hangs there in the dark, drawing you in with its simplicity and size. I found myself standing there mesmerized, taking in the sight (and trying to find the best angle to capture the sculpture) as the light shifted subtly across the orb’s surface.

Another standout for me was the Dimensional Sampling by Cao Yuxi at Staroměstské náměstí (Old Town Square). This LED projection installation transformed a portion of the square with its dynamic, cube-shaped light show. It felt surreal, juxtaposed with the medieval architecture of the House at the Stone Bell and the Tyn Church nearby. I was completely captivated by the interplay of light and shadow as the cube pulsed and glowed, almost like a beacon of the future in the heart of old Prague.

Of course, the Gallery Zone is a must-see if you want to dive even deeper into the festival. Besides the UVA work at Kunsthalle, I managed to see the installation by Seohyo at the Prague Castle Riding Hall and genuinely enjoyed it.

It’s one thing to see these installations, but the experience of exploring both the Hradčany and Centrum routes really lets you dive into the full spectrum of what Signal Festival offers. From digital projections on the Archbishop’s Palace to the surreal sculptures in Sternberg Palace, every turn reveals something new and unexpected. I’m glad I ventured out into the evening to take it all in.

If you’re in Prague in October, do yourself a favor and experience this festival—it’s a feast for the senses, and you won’t regret it!

If you're interested in exploring more about contemporary art and immersive travel experiences, I recommend checking out Loves Art Will Travel’s post on discovering Uhelny Mlyn, a hidden contemporary gallery just outside Prague. The blog delves into the charm of this industrial-modern space, much like Signal Festival’s own exploration of blending history and modern art. You can read more about it here

YAYOI KUSAMA HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT AT THE SERRALVES MUSEUM IN PORTO

Porto. A city best known for its “shabby chic” tiled architecture, vertigo-inducing iconic bridges and countless brands of Port wine from the Douro valley is currently also playing host to a fabulous art show by Yayoi Kusama. The local Serralves museum has organized a show called “YAYOI KUSAMA: 1945 TO NOW” that is on display through the end of September.

It was only natural, then, that I took myself and my fortunately very willing friend to see the show during a recent visit to Porto. The start was not for the faint-of-heart. Long lines stretching round the block almost immediately made us question the wisdom of going on a Sunday (especially on a day that was free of charge for local residents), but fortunately, once the museum gates opened, the line moved quickly and within a few minutes we were inside, ready to see Ms. Kusama.

The show, featuring about 160 works, including paintings, drawings, sculptures and installations, covers Kusama’s avant-garde vision from the 1940s through present time, focusing on the different aspects of her interest in interconnection and reflections on natural cycles of regeneration. You will see videos from the artist’s life, her evolving style of painting and her playful installations - from the iconic yellow pumpkins to a profound childlike joy-inducing black and white dotted infinity room (a nice benefit - unlike during the Zwirner show in New York, the wait time here lasts minutes rather than hours! And yes, you will have a lot of fun. We sure did.)

This exhibition is organised by M+, Hong Kong in collaboration with the Serralves Foundation and the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, curated by Doryun Chong and Mika Yoshitake, supported by Isabella Tam.

For those who are craving even more contemporary art, Porto offers its Art District centered around the Rue de Miguel Bombarda that is lined with many smaller galleries - from Presenca gallery on one end to the more commercial Tilsitt gallery on the other end. Other great galleries are sprinkled throughout the city, such as the great Nuno Centeno or Lehmann + Silva. Just make sure you time your visit after the summer holiday when many galleries close.

Where to stay? Porto is a very walkable city (well, if you don’t mind the cobble stoned streets and its hilly landscape - this is definitely a sneaker town, leave your heels at home) so pick an accommodation that is centrally located. We stayed at the Pousada do Porto and loved its quiet room right off the major pedestrian zone.

Bem vindo ao Porto!

Expanding the Kusama Experience: Kistefos Museum

If you’re a fan of Kusama’s work, another breathtaking destination to consider is the Kistefos Museum in Norway. Home to the famous Twist building designed by Bjarke Ingels, Kistefos features a vast contemporary art sculpture park where Kusama’s vibrant works are displayed alongside other renowned artists like Anish Kapoor and Olafur Eliasson. Located in the Norwegian woods, Kistefos offers a unique blend of art and nature, creating an experience that's both immersive and tranquil—much like Kusama’s works themselves. For more details on the museum, check out my post on Kistefos Museum here.