Art that Breathes with Technology and Nature
www.posiv.cz ǀ 91
POSITIV MAN
But that’s part of the appeal – the freedom to hit it hard
if needed, and if something doesn’t work out, I can cut
it off or weld it back on. It’s hard to explain – for me,
it feels like real, hands-on work, though I don’t mean
to say women couldn’t do it just as well.
Often, the very process of shaping and finishing
the surface becomes a form of expression for me.
Whether it’s brushed steel, a visible weld, a naturally
rusted surface, or a mirror-polished finish on stainless
steel – which is extremely durable and unyielding –
these qualities challenge and invite me to combine
them with other materials and natural elements. From
industrial rusted fountains with water and steam,
to polished organic forms like the Ariely fountain,
or combinations with fire, as seen in the sculpture
Prométheovo poselství (Prometheus’ Message).
What does the creative process usually look like for
you? How long does it typically take to create one
sculpture – is it even possible to estimate?
When I start working on a new thematic collection
or creative phase, it’s always more demanding. I need
to internally reflect on what I want to express and how
I perceive it. I have to dive deep into myself.
Once I know what I want to create and how, it all
depends on how far my imagination has taken
me. Sometimes the objects are simple and easier
to produce, but other times it can take me up to six
months. Kinetic sculptures, for example, are especially
demanding – not only in terms of aesthetics, but also
in technical execution. The mechanisms I use are often
entirely my own designs and constructions because
they tend to be very unconventional.
Yet even with something simple – like deciding how
tall the pedestal beneath a sculpture should be – I can
spend a week reflecting on it, testing different options
before I find the right solution for me.
Could you tell us more about what visitors can
expect at your exhibition in Čeladná?
It’s a solo exhibition at Prosper Golf Resort Čeladná,
running from 15 to 22 July 2025. I’m really looking
forward to it, as it will mark the public unveiling of my
new kinetic sculpture The Gate of Mirrors for the very first
time. The piece has been finished for a while now and is
one of the larger sculptures- it took a lot of time and effort.
I wanted to find the right place and the right moment for
its reveal, and now you can be part of that. In addition,
I’ll be presenting a new sculpture collection called Strážní
andělé (Guardian Angels). There will also be a fountain
on display to represent the elements. And of course, I’ll
bring along my latest collection of designer trays, so you
can get a complete picture of my work.
I’ll be happy if you find the time to come and visit
the exhibition. It’s a beautiful space with a breathtaking
view, and I’d love to tell you more about the individual
pieces in person.
Do you have a permanent exhibition or work
with any galleries? Are there any new projects
or collaborations we can look forward to?
Yes, my work is regularly updated and displayed
in a beautiful setting at the Elite Medical clinic for
comprehensive care in Prague. I’ve also recently started
collaborating with Galerie 20-21 in Prague, where I’ll
be holding a solo exhibition in March 2026.
You can find my original pieces and limited-edition design
collections under the brand Vilém Frič AF artforest
or on the website www.artforest.cz, under the name
AF artforest. There, you’ll find not only my own work,
but also that of my father, MgA. Jiří Frič, with whom
I occasionally collaborate. Some of the pieces can also
be viewed by appointment at our studio near Prague.
A number of my works are held in private collections,
which unfortunately means they are no longer
accessible to the public.
Thank you for the interview.
I connually strive to push my work
a lile further, and modern technology
allows me to do that.
When I start working on a new
themac collecon I have to
dive deep into myself.