+− Zlín

The permanent exhibition of the Regional Gallery of Fine Arts in Zlín brings together fine art, architecture and design, and primarily presents the institution’s rich collections. Through three hundred original works, it offers an insight not only into the recent history of art, but also into the complex relationships between visual culture and different areas of life.

A central theme of the exhibition is the tension between how Zlín and its surroundings are perceived from the outside and how they are defined from within. On the one hand, there is the strong legacy of modernisation and industrial development left by the Baťa company. On the other, there is a traditional and sentimental perspective associated with nature and rural life. This apparent contrast forms the central narrative of the exhibition.

The exhibition is divided into two sections, symbolising the conflict between different visions of modernity that shaped the development of Zlín. The first represents the rational and pragmatic approach adopted by the city during its rapid modernisation. The second, by contrast, reflects an irrational response – an attachment to tradition and individual freedom. The title “+ − Zlín” is a metaphorical expression of concepts that capture this dynamic and the relativity of opposites: rationality versus emotion, standardisation and uniqueness, organisation versus spontaneity, mass production versus individuality, change in contrast to permanence, speed versus depth.

The right-hand side of the exhibition

This section focuses on the cultural history of Zlín, including the Zlín salons of the 1930s and 1940s, the city’s architecture and industrial design. The works on display include paintings by renowned artists such as Bohumil Kubišta, Emil Filla, Jindřich Štyrský and Toyen, as well as works by artists who are less well known today.

The architecture section presents models of iconic Zlín buildings, illustrating how a small rural town developed into a centre of modern architecture. The industrial design section focuses on key figures such as Vincenc Makovský, Zdeněk Kovář and František Crhák and their influence on the development of design.

The left-hand side of the exhibition

This section focuses on fine art and develops two main themes. The first explores landscape. Nature is presented not only in its raw power, but also as a mirror of human experience and a reflection of personal memories and stories, as perceived by artists from the late 19th century throughout the 20th century.

The second thematic line focuses on representations of the human subject, from the earliest modernist experiments to contemporary approaches. This perspective explores not only the human figure, but also deeper ways of perceiving reality, oscillating between realistic representation and absolute imagination.

Mobile application

Alongside the traditional exhibits, the exhibition also features interactive elements, including a mobile immersive application. It enables visitors to experience artworks in new ways through audio, film and animated content, as well as a virtual tour.

Catalogue

An English-language version of the catalogue is available for CZK 199 at the reception desk of 14|15 BAŤŮV INSTITUT. To order a copy for home delivery, please contact nina.vojkovska@galeriezlin.cz or call +420 573 032 220.

The project for the new permanent exhibition of the Regional Gallery of Fine Arts in Zlín was co-financed by the European Union.

Curators: Václav Mílek, Ladislava Horňáková, Pavlína Pyšná, Vít Jakubíček