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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