Jiří Černický (CZ) → Archaic Topicalities

19:00 → 24:00
  • Projection and levitating object

About project

Bioluminescence is chemiluminescence used by living organisms. It involves the emission of light by certain species, who use it to communicate in ocean depths where there is no daylight. Jiří Černický brings the phenomenon of natural light emission to a further level – he uses the surface of living organisms as the projection screen of a kinetic image. He employs 3D visualisations in an animation programme to transfer the photographic record onto the surface of a living organism endowed with the ability to control its own bioluminescence. The water organism, hidden in ocean depths kilometres away from human existence, thus becomes a sort of torchbearer, apostle or enlightened representative of ecological topics that we so urgently need to tackle on the surface of the Earth. How do these issues, however, resonate amid this nearly metaphysically deep silence, immense pressure and timelessness? Do they seem foolish, peculiar or even nonsensical? National Geographic turns into Natural Geographic. The message of an inevitable change of our actions resounds from all sides. The ocean depths are fanciful but wise.

The co-author of the installation is Ondřej Rakušan, who participated in the creation of video and 3D modeling

About artist

Jiří Černický is a Czech visual artist, author of experimental and intermedia projects. He engages in media projects involving video art, visual poetry and photography. His work displays social and political engagement and trespassing of social taboos. He graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague, where he studied in the studio of Miloš Šejn and Jiří David. In 2015 he was appointed associate professor of the Faculty of Art and Design at Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem. Currently, he is head of the Painting studio at the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague.

Ondřej Rakušan is an artist focusing on 3D animation, matte painting, modeling and other techniques needed to create a 3D animated film. In 2015, he graduated from the master's program of the Faculty of Architecture of the Czech Technical University in the field of industrial design with prof. and. soch. Marián Karel.

Supported by

  • Partner of installation

    Radiožurnál

  • With support of

    Kasárna Karlín