Jiří Příhoda

Spatial and multimedia installations, architectural interventions, architectonic layouts of exhibitions, and graphic design are all aspects of Jiří Příhoda's work. He is one of the most distinctive artists of the generation of the 1990s.

He studied at the Graphic School in Prague (1981-1985) and at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague (1990-1996) where he attended the studios of Stanislav Kolíbal and Aleš Veselý. He also took part in study placements in Salzburg, Strasburg, New York and San Francisco. In 1997, he received the Jindřich Chalupický award. From 2005 to 2015, he led the Studio of Intermedia Work at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague.

During the 1980s, he created private land-art performances in the forests of the Czech-Moravian Highlands. This marked the beginnings of his interest in nature, natural elements and ecology, as well as his leanings towards monumental, architectonically displayed sculptural forms whose creation he approached conceptually.

His work from the 1990s is also on the cusp between sculpture and spatial installation, where he employs the so-called Klein bottle principle – the principle of the seamless merging of inner and outer surfaces of an object (Událost I. a II. (Event I and II), 1991-1992). He also creates installations for specific locations, e.g. the Synagogue in Libeň or the Gallery Václav Špála in Prague.

Since 1994, he has also been making use of video-projections. In various ways, he modifies film footage (films of natural catastrophes and scenes from famous movies) and then adds projections of spatial situations (Mezimísta (Interpositions), 1996-1998; Titanic, 1998-2000).

He is currently concentrating on the creation of alternative shelters, designated as places for thinking and individual isolation. Architectonically pure, minimal spaces, appearing to be habitable sculptures, and located primarily far from civilization, ideally where water, dry land and the skies meet. However, they are also displayed in purely urban environments. His Archa (Ark) (2013) can be currently seen in the village of Lubná near Litomyšl where, entitled Kulturák Archa, it serves as an alternative cultural centre (V-16).
 

1993–1994
23. srpna 1993 (23rd August, 1993)

1995–1996
Záběr/klapka 02 „POTOPA“ (Camera/action 02 “FLOOD”)

2006
Pamětní místo pro Jiřího Koláře v Protivíně (Memorial place for Jiří Kolář of Protivín)

2012
Příbytek pro stromy 1 (Shelter for trees 1)

2012–2013
Prales (Cela I.) (Rainforest, Cell 1)

2013
Světlucha (Příbytek pro stromy 1) (Světlucha, Shelter for trees 1)

2014
Poustevna (Hermitage)

2014–2016
Helix