Zdeněk Sýkora
Encyclopedia
Zdeněk Sýkora was a Czechoslovakian modern abstract
painter and sculptor, and a pioneer of using computers in art.
, Czechoslovakia. His style changed from landscape paintings in the late 1940s to geometrical abstract
structures into the 50s. Influenced by cubism
and surrealism
, in the 1960s, he became one of the first artists in the world to use computers to help him create geometric abstract paintings.
During the Soviet occupations
of many countries after World War II
, including Czechoslovakia, Sýkora was unable to hold many exhibitions, and some of the only pieces that can be seen from the late 1960s are government building projects.
During this period,the artist spent a great deal of time working in Prague
.
Also in the 1960s, Sýkora was member of the art group Crossroad (Skupina Křižovatka). While in this group, he created his first structures and realizations for architecture
in the Prague neighborhood of Letná
on Jindřišká Street). In 1985, he began collaborating on paintings with his wife, Lenka Sýkora. Their most recent realization for architecture can be found in the building of flight operation in Jeneč
near Prague. Sýkora had his second retrospective exhibition in 1995, 25 years after his first one, which had been held in Špála Gallery in 1970, and was not authorized by the occupying Russians. In 1995, it was the Prague City Gallery that held the exhibition in the Municipal Library and was a cross-section of his work. Sykora remained mostly active up until his death at the age of 91.
and the MUMOK
in Vienna.
Abstract art
Abstract art uses a visual language of form, color and line to create a composition which may exist with a degree of independence from visual references in the world. Western art had been, from the Renaissance up to the middle of the 19th century, underpinned by the logic of perspective and an...
painter and sculptor, and a pioneer of using computers in art.
Early life
Sýkora was born and died in LounyLouny
Louny is a town in the Ústí nad Labem Region of the Czech Republic. It is situated on the River Ohře.-History:The city was founded in the 12th century . The Church of St Peter stands on the site of the original fort...
, Czechoslovakia. His style changed from landscape paintings in the late 1940s to geometrical abstract
Abstract art
Abstract art uses a visual language of form, color and line to create a composition which may exist with a degree of independence from visual references in the world. Western art had been, from the Renaissance up to the middle of the 19th century, underpinned by the logic of perspective and an...
structures into the 50s. Influenced by cubism
Cubism
Cubism was a 20th century avant-garde art movement, pioneered by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, that revolutionized European painting and sculpture, and inspired related movements in music, literature and architecture...
and surrealism
Surrealism
Surrealism is a cultural movement that began in the early 1920s, and is best known for the visual artworks and writings of the group members....
, in the 1960s, he became one of the first artists in the world to use computers to help him create geometric abstract paintings.
During the Soviet occupations
Soviet occupations
Soviet occupations is a term used for military occupations by the Soviet Union from the prelude to the aftermath of World War II. The term is typically used for occupations of Eastern European countries...
of many countries after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, including Czechoslovakia, Sýkora was unable to hold many exhibitions, and some of the only pieces that can be seen from the late 1960s are government building projects.
During this period,the artist spent a great deal of time working in Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
.
Later career
Sýkora's style eventually turned to a less strict system of line paintings with lines of color moving across large canvasses in random directions.Also in the 1960s, Sýkora was member of the art group Crossroad (Skupina Křižovatka). While in this group, he created his first structures and realizations for architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
in the Prague neighborhood of Letná
Letná
Letná is an informal quarter of Prague, the Czech Republic. It belongs to Holešovice and Bubeneč quarters.The main part of Letná is Letná Plain , a large empty plain, and Letná Park . The football stadium of AC Sparta Prague, Generali Arena, is located here....
on Jindřišká Street). In 1985, he began collaborating on paintings with his wife, Lenka Sýkora. Their most recent realization for architecture can be found in the building of flight operation in Jeneč
Jeneč
Jeneč is a village and municipality in Prague-West District in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. -References:*This article was initially translated from the Czech Wikipedia....
near Prague. Sýkora had his second retrospective exhibition in 1995, 25 years after his first one, which had been held in Špála Gallery in 1970, and was not authorized by the occupying Russians. In 1995, it was the Prague City Gallery that held the exhibition in the Municipal Library and was a cross-section of his work. Sykora remained mostly active up until his death at the age of 91.
Legacy
Sýkora 's paintings are owned by galleries around the globe, including the Centre Georges PompidouCentre Georges Pompidou
Centre Georges Pompidou is a complex in the Beaubourg area of the 4th arrondissement of Paris, near Les Halles, rue Montorgueil and the Marais...
and the MUMOK
MUMOK
MUMOK is the abbreviation of "MUseum MOderner Kunst" Foundation Ludwig Vienna. It is located in the Museumsquartier in Vienna, Austria....
in Vienna.
Awards
- Vladimír Boudnik Award - 2008 - Czech Republic
- Ordre des Arts et des LettresOrdre des Arts et des LettresThe Ordre des Arts et des Lettres is an Order of France, established on 2 May 1957 by the Minister of Culture, and confirmed as part of the Ordre national du Mérite by President Charles de Gaulle in 1963...
– France - Herbert-Boeckl-Preis - Austria
Exhibitions
Sýkora had hundreds of exhibitions internationally over his lifetime. A partial list is found on Prague Art & Design.Skupina Křižovatka
|
Bela Kolárová Běla Kolářová née Helclová was a Czech artist and photographer.Běla Kolářová belongs to the generation which touched off an iconoclastic revolution and "rearmament" in Czech art during the 1960s... (*24.3.1923) |
Zdeněk Sýkora Zdeněk Sýkora was a Czechoslovakian modern abstract painter and sculptor, and a pioneer of using computers in art.-Early life:... (*3.2.1920-12.7.2011) |
External links
- Museum Video Tour http://www.fcca.cz/shared/events/orbisfictus/ofzdeneksykora4.html
- Official site