STYLE
labán, Hana Puchová, Jiří Šigut). V tomto ohledu by měly
být aktivity všech institucí masivnější.
Teď trochu osobně. Co byste, Vy osobně, doporučil
návštěvníkům Moravskoslezského kraje ke zhlédnutí,
a to nejen ve výstavních prostorách galerie?
Jsem velmi rád, že na poli výtvarného umění je v Ostravě
mnoho kvalitních příležitostí. Mimořádné i z mezinárodního pohledu je Milan Dobeš Museum v Dolních Vítkovi-
cích, zajímavé jsou aktivity na Dole Michal, interesantní
výstavy se konají v galeriích Sokolská 26, Fiducia, Jáma 10
a dalších. V neposlední řadě je třeba zmínit i ostravské
PLATO, které velmi progresivně vytváří živý prostor současného umění.
Pane řediteli, děkujeme Vám za rozhovor.
Redakce magazínu.
History and Future:
House of Arts and Its White Shadow
Mgr. Jiří Jůza, Ph.D. is the CEO of the Gallery of Fine Arts (Galerie výtvarného umění) in Ostrava
(GVUO). Under his management the regional gallery has grown into a highly respected institution
of national importance, annually attended by over 100,000 visitors.
Mgr. Jiří Jůza is the Chair of the Association of Galleries
of the Czech Republic (Rada galerií České republiky),
a member of purchasing and cultural committees,
councils and special teams at the Ministry of Culture
of the Czech Republic, Czech galleries, and City
institutions.
Mr Jůza, fine arts in Ostrava typically relate to and
reflect its industries and hard work. What is the present
and future focus of GVUO?
Industry has played a significant role in the view of the arts.
First, the foundation of the House of Arts (Dům umění)
was closely connected to important industrialists (Eduard
Šebela, Oskar Federer, and other) who contributed to
its plans and operation. Fine arts have always reflected
industry as an element shaping the city and its social issues.
Currently, the gallery is a contributory organization of the
Moravian-Silesian Region. It is a traditional museum of arts
with an outstanding collection of masterpieces from the
late Middle Ages up to the present.
I believe we have earned a significant position amongst
regional galleries. We successfully organize significant
projects and do whatever an institution like ours is
supposed to. I am very happy that various awards in
contests such as Gloria Musealis, Czech Grand Design,
Most Beautiful Czech Book of the Year (Nejkrásnější
česká kniha roku), the Amber Award (Cena Jantar) prove
our quality and confirm the direction we’re heading. We
are not in competition with national galleries with much
greater budgets, staff and room, however, we made the
best and most efficient use of what the House of Arts
allows. Still we know that our potential and opportunities
are bigger.
“Black Ostrava” is history. What is the future you plan for
the White Shadow, an extension of the House of Arts?
The White Shadow is our future, a crucial element in
development with great potential in the region. It will house
presentations of our collections, exhibitions and supporting
programmes; it will allow education and become a true
community centre open to any generation and individual
interests.
Even in 1926 the House of Arts was considered a key
organization for improving our understanding of history and
local identity; it was an important centre of education and
leisure. Almost a hundred years later, there are still some
barriers. Worst of all is the lack of permanent expositions
to bring in school excursions. Schools are interested but we
cannot respond to their demand. There is a huge difference
in our activities with or without the White Shadow--going
into details would produce an entire book.
You are the chairman of the Association of Galleries
of the Czech Republic. What is the position of fine arts
of our region in the context of the whole Czech Republic?
By national comparison, our region is doing well. Artists
of Ostrava have a good reputation also thanks to the
Faculty of Arts generating very interesting personalities.
On the other hand, our geography as well as insufficient
official support put certain limits on our efforts. We never
forget that and do our best to improve that situation. Even
that may be not enough. We organize exhibitions and
prepare publications promoting significant local artists
(e.g. Daniel Balabán, Hana Puchová, Jiří Šigut), and feel that
such support from all relevant institutions should be greater.
Now personally: what would you recommend visitors
to the Moravian-Silesian Region see in and out of the
exhibition halls of your gallery?
I am very happy that Ostrava offers so many good
opportunities to enjoy fine arts. Even by international
standards, the Milan Dobeš Museum in Lower Area
Vítkovice is an extraordinary experience. There are very
attractive events at Michal Mine (Důl Michal), interesting
exhibitions to be found at Sokolská 26, Fiducia, Jáma 10 and
other galleries. Last but not least, Plato is a very progressive
living space for contemporary arts.
Thank you very much for the interview.
Editorial of Magazine.
Text:
redakce
Foto:
Martin Straka
www.gvuo.cz
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