TRACES OF LUDI

Alzbeta Jungrova’s terrific new photography show (curated by the Trafo Gallery team) at the Vila Volman is officially titled “Bez konce a začátku” but in my mind, it could also be called “Traces of Ludi” given its strong focus on Mr. Volman’s daughter Ludi and the energy she left behind after the family had to give up their still-new residence and leave the country.

Jungrova was clearly drawn to the story and Ludi’s energy is now felt throughout all the photographs that are brilliantly sprinkled throughout the iconic building. Whether it’s a subtle veil with a female face imprint flowing in the gentle breeze of the living room, a blurred image of a woman seemingly in flight, greeting you at the top of the stairs, a woman leaning against the window or relaxing on one of the villa’s many verandas, or a powerful portrait of a woman, a packed car behind her, taking a look at the villa one last time… the story is there. And, together with the striking architecture of Karel Janů a Jiří Štursa it is bound to pull you in as well. I loved it all.

I was not new to Jungrova’s magic. A few years ago I first stumbled on her personal work in the dilapidated washroom of an old hospital at Karlovo náměstí in Prague. A raw place about as depressing as they come, came alive with her installation. Large images printed on metal mesh screens, film foils glued to the windows to filter in the afternoon light, neon projection giving the photograph negatives a slightly spooky appearance. A life-long lover of contemporary art, I had not seen anything like it in Prague until then. I was hooked. So much so that I actually went ahead and bought not only the exhibition catalog (a work of art in its own right) but got a large size print of one of the key pieces as well. You can read about my impressions here.

So, this time, as soon as I learned Jungrova was at it again, I marked the opening date on my calendar and booked my timed ticket. The show did not disappoint. Through now somewhat familiar collages and atypical printing techniques, Jungrova once again tells a captivating story, rich in powerful female energy, beautiful in execution, and with just a hint of how destructive some forces in the Czech Republic’s past had been. And how lucky we are now that a few dedicated souls restored this architectural gem back to its former beauty.

If you loved her 2023 solo show, you are bound to like this one as well. The show runs at the Vila Volman in Čelákovice through the end of August.

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