Art & culture

Strange to write about a means of transport? Maybe, but I do like taking it and will explain why. Firstly, it’s essential if I want to get anywhere fast. Secondly, even though it’s not too big with its three lines, it is an interesting world of its own. And thirdly, unlike “purely technical” subways in many other cities, Prague Metro is not just an underground transportation network but it also represents a true historical monument.

Stations built during the communist era still bear the symbols and signs of the previous regime. It isn’t hard to notice that the old stations are richly decorated and constructed mostly of marble, glass and metal. Many include Socialist realism artworks – a mosaic (Florenc, Namesti Republiky, Karlovo namesti, Haje, Dejvicka…), a statue (Namesti Miru, Flora) and perhaps the most complex “design” as for ideology you can find in Andel. Built in cooperation with Soviet engineers and artists it was supposed to represent the friendship between USSR and CSSR. Now it’s turned into one of the busiest stations with a huge mall on the surface.

This melange of old and new is what I really like about Prague Metro. Of course the network is still growing – 16 stations since 1989, some of which I find great pieces of modern architecture (Rajska zahrada, Strizkov) and another 4 coming in 2014.

This is a high-class gallery. In my opinion there have been much better exhibitions in Rudolfinum than any other gallery in Prague. I’ll mention Gottfried Helnwein – Angels Sleeping and Gregory Crewdson which were really one of the best exhibitions I have ever seen.

The gallery is located in one of Prague’s most beautiful buildings – Rudolfinum. It is a Neo-Renaissance concert hall open in 1885 as a multifunctional cultural institution. The construction was organized by Ceská sporitelna (one of the main banks in Czech Republic) on the occasion of its 50th anniversary.

When walking by you will definitely be offered concert tickets by the street vendors. I must say that concerts of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra in Rudolfinum are a great cultural experience as well.

As for the actual exhibitions, visit the gallery’s website to see what is on.

Visiting this cinema is almost a tradition for me. It is actually the first one I’ve ever been to in my life – Lion King was on and I just turned 5 years old At that time there were no multi/megaplex cinemas in the Czech Republic and Svetozor was just an “ordinary cinema”. Since then it started to be more focused on art films (or let’s say less mainstream films) as well as festivals. Two screening halls are in service.

Every week there is a premiere of an art film, Mondays are reserved for screening of documentary films and Wednesday nights for minor and experimental genres such as video art, net art, animation, commercials, video-clips, short films etc. Also there are special screenings for seniors, children and the deaf.

Svetozor is not only a cinema. There is a bar underground (open of course NOT only for people with cinema tickets) used as a photographic gallery at the same time. Free WI-FI Internet is available as well. If you’re thinking of going, check the program.

You can go to an antique shop, search for gorgeous pieces hidden between tons of bizarre objects. Or you might prefer having a wide selection of well taken care of and delicately chosen items in one place. I am sometimes in the mood for the first process, but I just must appreciate it if someone’s done the work for us common folks. Nanovo is a shop which did it, and how! In case you want to see a piece of Czech design history sit on your shelf, this is a great place to go to.

Guys from Nanovo are sensibly selecting pieces they were surrounded with since childhood. Let me quote: ‘This positive relationship with uncomplicated objects endowed with graceful curves remains inside us.’ I browse their site just to remind myself of how pure and useful design can be and also I am often trying to recall where I saw the object before – was it my friend house? Grandma’s cottage? I also appreciate their taste and work done completing and saving these items.

In case you want to invest in a long-lasting piece, that was appreciated before in the past or crystallized into design evergreen with years, visit the online shop or better arrange an appointment in the studio. I believe you will proudly bring home an item which will remind you of not only your stay in Prague, but also of everything good what’s passed, giving the hope for everything good that is ahead of us.

Innovation comes with youth and youngsters will tell you fun ends with adulthood but luckily university students do not care about any of this. They live in a different world, which you can either enter by spending long hours studying, or simply by coming to their club. You will not feel like an intruder, no worries. They like to share, if it’s music, art projections, ideas or a table.

Any tourist can pass by Klub K4 every day, and will not catch sign of it. Klub’s entrance is in the hallway of building no. 20 in Celetná street – street heavily winking at foreigners walking through Prague past souvenir shops and strange offers. Get local experience and sneak in the wooden door while leaving the crowd behind. Choose an event on the site or simply drop by for a delicious drink and be surprised by the latest art exhibition or concert.

As Jakub, caretaker of the gallery, whilst drinking large beer, said: “It is so ‘entspannt’ here”. And I could not say it better!