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MIROSLAV HALAK
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Nov 6, 2026
Nach 1918 spielte Prag eine bedeutende Rolle als Zentrum der Kunst nicht nur in der Tschechoslowakei, sondern war im Begriff, zu einem der wichtigsten kulturellen Zentren Europas zu werden. Die Voraussetzungen dafür waren günstig: Die Stadt lag immer schon am Schnittpunkt mehrerer Kulturen, der neue Staat brauchte eine eigene kulturelle Identität, die junge heimische Kunstszene emanzipierte sich von ihren mitteleuropäischen Wurzeln und orientierte sich mehr nach Westen.
Jazz
Nov 2, 2026
In a historical context, the concept of heritage is often misused for reactionary purposes. Opportunists instrumentalize and distort history to construct nonexistent value frameworks of the past. By idealizing history, we accelerate nationalism, and heritage thus becomes an empty phrase of pride and a myth of exclusive identity. On the other hand, it is also heritage that is systematically misused to stigmatize opponents by excluding them from this framework of identification. An example of the disgraceful desecration of the concept of heritage in Slovakia is the annual theatrical adaptation of the message of the historical figures Cyril and Methodius. The radically intellectual and deeply spiritual legacy of these fundamentally progressive, cosmopolitan, cultured, and socially competent thinkers and diplomats is criminally reduced to nonsensical, offensive, contemptible, and divisive political agitation.
Oct 30, 2026
Idealised notions of sublime nature and works of art depicting idyllic landscapes have largely shaped our understanding of 19th-century art. Yet these picturesque visions of dramatic coastlines, endless horizons, and richly coloured fields present a somewhat distorted picture, as they tend to romanticise the historical development of landscape painting without questioning it. The history of modern landscape painting is, in fact, far more complex, revealing a remarkable range of social factors that contributed to the emergence of new artistic styles and new ways of representing nature. While curating the exhibition Grow. The Tree in Art, for the Belvedere in Vienna in 2022, I was surprised to discover that the language editor found my reflections on the symbolic nature of the tree in art difficult to grasp. I therefore tried to explain the tree’s significance by referring to its role in the religious tradition.
Oct 23, 2026
I’m really happy that this year, too, I get to review the event known as “Jazzáky”—as it’s familiarly called by those whose connection to this festival goes beyond just a few concerts by their favorite bands. For me personally, the last weekend before the end of October marks the final stretch of days without thick jackets, windbreakers, and coats. These are the last breaths of what we call Indian summer or “late summer.” After these days, the relentless reality of fall sets in—which, fortunately, is full of color. Thanks to the extra hour—since the clocks always change on this Saturday—it feels as though the day is longer and, as a result, more peaceful. Although I love the sun and the heat, winter time suits my internal clock better. And I really enjoy celebrating this extra hour during BJD. It’s always a wonderful celebration, in a pleasant setting, surrounded by people who share similar musical tastes. This year’s 51st edition was no exception; it was organized by the daughters of the founding fathers—that is, the new generation of the Lipa and Daněk families.
Simple vocabulary is not enough to explain what is happening in Ivan Pinkava’s photographs. Unfortunately, the foreign words that so often appear in texts about art have a tendency to deter the general public from reading them. Yet the use of technical terms should not be a pseudo-intellectual gesture, but rather an indispensable tool for describing phenomena that transcend the everyday. However, the search for the right expression to describe complex relationships within extraordinary compositions and visual puzzles can lead us on an adventurous journey through time and space—a journey of discovery. Ivan Pinkava’s exhibition Symploké / συμπλοκή also invites us on such a journey, for in our effort to penetrate beyond the surface layer of photographs of staged nude bodies, accumulated materials, or atypical tangles of objects, we transcend the categories of simple descriptions of beauty.
Oct 21, 2026
In my latest review of Danish drummer Antonio Dayyani’s 2024 album “Trop On,” I highlighted the coherency and lightness of the compositions. In early October of this year, April Records released another work by this young and talented musician and composer. The album “Organisme” is as colorful as Denmark’s most famous building block set; it is just as versatile, and just as with building with blocks, this recording won’t let you go until the last piece of the puzzle is in place and the whole picture is revealed.
