Collaboration with Jakub Roztočil for the Masaryčka Project by Zaha Hadid

In 2023, I arranged for Jakub Roztočil’s artworks to be placed in a space designed by architect Jakub Klaska (Zaha Hadid Architects).

As the artist’s website notes: “In collaboration with Prokop Bartoníček (Ex Post Gallery), several of my works were installed in the new building by Zaha Hadid Architects near Masaryk Station in Prague. This project also marked my return to Ex Post after nearly a decade, with the exhibition Spilled Constellations, curated by Jan Kudrna.”

The book From Light to Matter

I conceived the book concept “From Light to Matter,” dedicated to the life and work of Gizela Šabóková. It was introduced last week at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague.


This significant publication marks the first comprehensive exploration of Šabóková’s artistic journey, documenting every phase of her professional career up to 2024. The bilingual monograph, available in Czech and English, features contributions from esteemed historians and theorists of glass and art, including voices from Europe and overseas. Essays by both contemporary and late experts provide a detailed narrative surrounding Šabóková’s impact on the field. The volume features approximately 590 photographs showcasing her creations, along with documentary and situational images, a complete bibliography, and a list of exhibitions.

The monograph’s graphic design was created by the renowned Robert V. Novák, with Oldřich Palata serving as reviewer, Sylva Petrová as editor, and Prokop Bartoníček as the concept author. This thoughtfully crafted publication offers a deep look into Czech studio glass of the 20th and 21st centuries, while also highlighting the significant contributions of women to this internationally celebrated art form.

Published by PEBE Interactive in partnership with the Museum of Decorative Arts as part of its scientific research program, From Light to Matter is an important addition to the discourse on contemporary glass art and its history.

Retrospective Exhibition “Laser Screen Printing” Opened

For those who couldn’t attend the opening on November 27, 2024, of the exhibition “Prokop Bartoníček: Laser Screen Printing,” Gallery Komart (Salvátorská 6, Prague 1) is open Tuesday to Friday from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Alternatively, private viewings can be arranged.

Ten years ago, I introduced works created with my unique Laser Screen Printing technique. This method utilizes a custom-built UV laser projector to project motifs onto screens for manual screen printing. The resulting prints, produced in limited editions, remain highly sought after by collectors.

Running until the end of January 2025, the exhibition also features the latest pieces from the Aeon series, showcasing modifications and creative interventions into centuries-old artifacts.

Thanks for photos: Magdalena Bláhová, Jiří Vambera, Tomáš Studnička

Aeon – Halo

I’m excited to share my latest contribution to the collective project Aeon. This piece features an original Gothic sculpture by an unknown 15th-century artist, reimagined with a neon halo intervention.

The work combines an original wooden sculpture with stainless steel construction, a neon tube, and electronics, measuring 90 x 34 x 22 cm. Completed in 2024, the piece is available for purchase upon request.

For more of previous Aeon artworks, please visit here:
prokopbartonicek.com/aeon
aeon.art

“Ostrve”, a sculpture permanently placed in a public space in Prague.

(Česky níže.)

This Wednesday, my new work will be “revealed,” or better yet, light up. It’s my very first sculpture permanently placed in a public space. Ten-meter pylons reflect the sun during the day and create a geometric abstraction at night. This light object now dominates the corner of Plzeňská and Mozartova streets in Prague’s Smíchov, and on Wednesday, December 13, at 5:30 PM, there will be its ceremonial lighting.


When I was approached in 2022 by the A.LT Architekti studio (through Mr. Kamil Nábělek) participated in a competition selecting a suitable artwork for a residential building in Smíchov; it was clear which path to take. My goal was not to use the building as a pedestal for my intention. I decided to adequately complete this quality building and work in favor of architecture, especially its surroundings.

While Plzeňská Street officially begins closer to Anděl, the feeling starts precisely with this house. The final work had to assert itself both during the day and at night without disrupting the character of the surroundings. Dealing with the corner of Plzeňská was a challenge for me.

I greatly thank A.LT Architekti and their broader team for the opportunity and trust, my locksmith master Zdeněk Klein (with whom I have collaborated for almost two decades) for his precise and persistent work, and last but not least, the enlightened investor IP Polná s.r.o., for the “freehand” and support during the realization.


Tuto středu se „odhalí“, nebo lépe řečeno rozzáří, mé nové dílo. Je to má vůbec první socha umístěná trvale do veřejného prostoru.
Desetimetrové stožáry odráží Slunce během dne a vytváří geometrickou abstrakci během noci. Tento světelný objekt nově dominuje nároží ulic Plzeňská a Mozartova na pražském Smíchově a ve středu 13. 12. v 17 hodin dojde k jeho slavnostnímu rozsvícení.


Když jsem byl v roce 2022 osloven studiem A.LT Architekti (prostřednictvím pana Kamila Nábělka), abych se účastnil soutěže, která měla vybrat vhodné dílo na obytnou budovu na Smíchově, bylo jasné, jakou cestou se vydat. Nebylo mým cílem budovu použít jako sokl pro vlastní záměr. Rozhodl jsem se tento kvalitní dům adekvátně dokončit, pracovat ve prospěch architektury a zejména jejího okolí.

Ulice Plzeňská začíná sice blíže k Andělu, pocitově však právě tímto domem. Výsledná práce se musela umět prosadit během dne i během noci, ale ani v jednom případě nesměla narušovat ráz okolí. Pojednat nároží Plzeňské, to byla pro mě výzva.

Moc děkuji A.LT Architekti a jejich širšímu týmu za příležitost a důvěru, mému zámečnickému mistru Zdeňkovi Kleinovi (s kterým spolupracuji bezmála dvě dekády) za jeho přesnou a vytrvalou práci, a v neposlední řadě osvícenému investorovi IP Polná s.r.o., za „volnou ruku“ a podporu při realizaci.

“Pozadí událostí” – cooperation with Jan Hřebejk

Just before Covid, in January 2020, Jan Hřebejk called me. While I was dumbfounded on the phone, “The director” rang out. He outlined what kind of series he was preparing and would need my help to select suitable artworks for the film and, simply put, hit the right artistic environment.

We met the next week, the three of us and Petr Jarchovský, in New York in Harlem, for a Sunday mass with the gospel. It just so happened that we were traveling there at the same time.

At lunch together, we confirmed that my work Vibrator (2007-2012), paintings by Aleš Brázdil, drawings by Lenka Chánová, and works by others would play in the series. Well, Jan also told me that he would like me to play the character of the artist Skalák. I enjoyed it, so I took it.

After lunch, we visited Miloš Forman’s apartment; Mrs. Martina hosted us in the legendary Hampshire/Essex House. The funny thing was that the day before that, I was taking pictures of sculptures for my mom’s book in the barracks across the corner from Central Park, roughly on the same floor. That publication will also be published this year. The world seemed small to me then, but from today’s point of view, it was also a little more in order.

One full day of filming Pozadí událostí took place in Ex Post. We had Dita Malečková present the staged opening, who recited a curatorial text written by artificial intelligence. The partner in my minor role, the gallerist, was played by Prokop Svoboda. The most fun was probably filming with Katarzia in the artist’s studio. We know each other well, so it was fun on the set.

The series Pozadí událostí touches on sensitive topics with detailed precision. Gender, me too, sexuality, petty-bourgeoisie, prejudice, xenophobia, i.e., serious stuff, but at the same time, it’s a fun TV detective story, so there’s a good chance that the essential element will get right where it belongs.

The film stars, for example, my favorites, Martha Issová and Petra Hřebíčková, but also Jan Slovák, who played the main character in the legendary film Kouř!

You can watch Pozadí událostí events from this Sunday evening on ČT1.

All epoisodes free to watcvh on web of Czech national TV.


Těsně před Covidem, v lednu 2020, mi volal Jan Hřebejk. Když jsem nechápavě mlčel do telefonu, ozvalo se „Ten režisér.“ Nastínil mi, jaký připravuje seriál a že by ode mě potřeboval pomoct do snímku vybrat vhodná umělecká díla a jednoduše řečeno trefit správně umělecké prostředí.

Potkali jsme se hned další týden, všichni tři i s Petrem Jarchovským, v New Yorku v Harlemu, na nedělní mši se super gospelem. Zrovna to tak vyšlo, že jsme tam cestovali ve stejnou dobu.

Na společném obědě jsme si potvrdili, že si v seriálu zahraje mé dílo Vibrátor (2007-2012), malby Aleše Brázdila, kresby Lenky Chánové a práce dalších. No a taky tam na mě Jan vybalil, že by rád abych postavu umělce Skaláka hrál já. Bavilo mě to, a tak jsem to vzal.

Po obědě jsme vyrazili na návštěvu bytu Miloše Formana, v legendárním Hampshire/Essex House nás hostila paní Martina. Vtipný bylo, že den před tím jsem v baráku přes roh Centrál parku fotil, zhruba ve stejným poschodí, sochy do knihy mé mámy, ta publikace vyjde taky letos. Svět se mi tehdy zdál strašně malej, z dnešního pohledu byl taky o něco víc v pořádku.

Jeden celý natáčecí den Pozadí událostí proběhl v Ex Post. Inscenovanou vernisáž jsme nechali uvést Ditu Malečkovou, která recitovala kurátorský text napsaný umělou inteligencí. Parťáka mé drobné role, galeristu, hrál Prokop Svoboda. Asi nejzábavnější bylo společné natáčení i s Katarzií v ateliéru umělce. Známe se dobře a tak na place byla sranda.

Pozadí událostí se s pečlivou přesností dotýká citlivých témat; genderu, me too, sexuality, maloměšťáctví, předsudků, xenofobie, tedy vážných věcí, ale současně je to zábavná televizní detektivka, a tak je tu velká šance, že to podstatné se dostane právě tam kam má.

Ve snímku hrají např. mé oblíbenkyně Martha Issová a Petra Hřebíčková, ale třeba i Jan Slovák, co hrál hlavní postavu v legendárním Kouři!

Sledovat Pozadí událostí můžete od této neděle večer na ČT1.

Exhibit design: Torsos of Gizela Šabóková

I’m thrilled to share that I recently had the opportunity to design an exhibition titled “Torsos” by glass artist Gizela Šabóková. The exhibition was held at Nová Síň in Prague in May 2022, to celebrate Gizela’s 70th birthday. As a retrospective exhibition, it showcased around 50 of the artist’s works, including objects and drawings.

One of the most important aspects of the exhibition design was creating pedestals that could hold the weight of the fused glass without detracting from the beauty of the artwork. To achieve this, I designed blocks of UHPC-hardened concrete cut on a water jet to fit together seamlessly. I cooperated with BSG from Předeslav u Klatov to fabricate these plinths.

The last time I saw so many of Gizela Šabóková’s works together was in the nineties in the Jablonecké muzeum skla a bižuterie. It was an honor to work on this exhibition and help showcase the incredible talent of this amazing artist. Overall, the exhibition was a huge success and a wonderful tribute to the work of –– my parents, Gizela Šabóková and Karel Bartoníček.

The Resilience multiplications

Resilience is an attribute that was needed more this year than ever before. I am currently finishing a light object, which also includes typography, that I sculpted and printed. Before the Resilience could be seen, I prepared a limited series of screen-prints on paper and T-shirts. They will remind us to take care of ourselves to manage the pitfalls.

The T-shirt is only 10 pieces per design in a given size, price 850 CZK.
Paper B2 (70 x 50 cm), edition of 44 pieces, price CZK 3,500.
Paper B1 (100 x 70 cm), edition 11 pcs, price on request.

Odolnost je vlastnost, která byla letos zapotřebí víc než kdy před tím. Aktuálně dokončuji světelný objekt, jehož součástí je i typografie, kterou jsem modeloval a tiskl. Než bude Resilience k vidění, připravil jsem limitovanou sérii sítotisků na papír a trička. Budou připomínat, že pro zvládnutí nástrah je třeba o sebe dbát.

Triček je pouze 10 ks na design v dané velikosti, za 850 Kč.
Papír B2 (70 x 50 cm), edice o 44 ks, cena 3.500 Kč.
Papír B1 (100 x 70 cm), edice o 11 ks, cena na dotaz.