College launches new art gallery

Prague's independent art scene got a boost March 12 with the opening of "No Illusions," an exhibition by Robert Horvitz at (art) SPACE, a new gallery at Anglo-American University in Malá Strana.

"No Illusions," labeled "an exhibition of 21st-century drawings," consists of 14 pen-and-ink drawings, the majority displayed within round white space framed in black, giving one the impression of viewing petri dishes or impressionistic drawings of the moon. Horvitz says his approach to art favors the medium over the message.

"All of the drawings I've done since 1970 involve the same method: I put the pen on paper and flick it," he said.

The result is a series of drawings that pulse with life, despite simple materials. Each piece is a grouping of elastic geometric designs that vary as the eyes trail across the page. The images are abstract, but each is coupled with a distinct title such as "E=mc2" or, perhaps more provocatively, "Beyond Islam."

Such titles give slant and scope to the drawings, which are otherwise more visually than intellectually engaging.

"These drawings aren't very communicative because I don't do them for other people. In many ways, the title is the most communicative part," Horvitz said.

That's not to say considerable thought hasn't gone into each drawing. Horvitz explained the title "Beyond Islam" was a conscious choice, though less politicized than one might think.

"Islamic art is, of course, Euclidian, using rigid symmetry," he said. "I think geometry, after Einstein, must be elastic."

"The drawings are really electric," said Adriel Vasquez, an attendee at the opening.

Horvitz, who teaches contemporary art history at Anglo-American University, has previously exhibited work at galleries in Prague, and in other European capitals, including London and Belgrade.

"No Illusions" will hang for two months and sets a high standard for (art) SPACE, which will exhibit creative work from the Anglo-American University community, says assistant curator Evgenia Afanasyeva. Two exhibitions are forthcoming in the summer months.

Just around the corner from the Lennon Wall, (art) SPACE fills a building left vacant when the Anglo-American University library moved to its present location at the corner of Letenská street, adjacent to the Malostranská tram stop. The new library will feature literary events like poetry readings in an atmosphere with "prestigious ambience," according to librarian Zuzana Hronková.

Stephan Delbos can be reached at
sdelbos@praguepost.com