Special Circumstances is the latest book published by Czech illustrator Jan Sramek capturing his work on extinct realisations in public spaces. Jan is pointing out on a current problem by recreating demolished artworks and preserving their visuals in digital form.  Let us introduce you An Illustrated Guide to Demolished, Removed and Relocated Art in Public Space from the Period of Communism.

 

 

Picture Desk: What inspired you to publish Special Circumstances?

Jan: The current awful situation in the field of public art in Czech republic has mainly lead me to create this book. Similar situation is in Slovakia as well. Community didn’t embrace and accept the art in public space from the period of communism and normalization, and no form of new art is produced. According to Pavel Karous, who is systematically mapping art in public space from the period of normalization, only in Prague were constructed more than 2200 art realisations in the 70’s and 80 ‘s, whereas just 56 were created since 1991. The aim of this book is to call attention to this situation. An enormous quantity of superior artworks is irretrievably disappearing from public space, quite often by bizarre circumstances. Partially it is because of the perception of historical events and “black and white” thinking, but it is the art in public space from the period of normalization and socialism, that right now is in danger.

 

 

Picture Desk: Where did you find original artworks?

Jan: The main part came from co-author of the book Jana Kořínková, who is mapping and promoting the art in public space in Brno and it’s surrounding for a long time. Together with local initiatives dealing with the art in public space in specific regions or in the whole area of republic,  we worked on artworks’s selection included in the book.

 

 

Picture Desk: Do you remember any objects that you have pictured? What are your memories regarding them? 

Jan: From my childhood I mostly remember wall painting by Jan Zelený, that was in a shopping centre close to the place where I grew up. Also I used to play in the playground on Střelecký Island, designed by Tomáš Ruller.

 

 

Picture Desk: Which one of captured objects is your favourite and you miss it the most?

Jan: Definitely Hotel Praha.

 

 

Picture Desk: Do you plan any exhibitions in the future?

Jan: Recently I had an exhibition Between the World and Me in gallery AM 180. And for now I don’t plan any other.

 

 

Picture Desk: What are your future plans? Anything special that we can look forward to?

Jan: Currently I am working on a few assignments for books and together with animation-filmmaker and director Martin Búřil we are preparing animated film “Korolyov’s Dream”.