„It depends mainly on us, if we will feed the fear and despair in us, or if we see it as a chance for change and new beginnings”
Together with Qreator by IQOS, we were going to launch a new events category during this year's edition of Romanian Design Week. It is called DESIGN FLAGS, a series of seven exhibitions that document the evolution of design from international cultural perspectives, which would have been hosted by Qreator by IQOS space.
Because, at the moment, the safest thing for all of us is to #stayhome, but also because we thought of sharing with you the content of these exhibitions, we decided to exhibit these international projects online, here, but also to start a series of interviews with the teams behind them. Thus, we have the opportunity to discover together the ideas and insights that made possible each of these.
Presented with the help of the Spanish Embassy in Bucharest, the Hungarian Institute in Bucharest, the Czech Centre, Designmuseum Danmark, CHART, Next Nature and KWY.studio, the seven exhibitions investigate new approaches and concerns in design and present innovative ideas and products that manage to redefine the sphere of which they are part.
For this interview, we spoke with Robin Ujfaluši, Director of the Czech Center, about the Made in CZ / Found in RO exhibition, as well as about adapting the local cultural scene to change.
- How did the Czech Centre adapt to the current situation and how do you manage your activity during these times?
It is a challenging period, like for anybody else. Cultural events rely on people meeting and interacting together, so we have to look for new ways and channels, primarily online. On the other hand, the situation is unique in a way that differences in physical distances practically disappeared – no matter if somebody lives two blocks from you in Bucharest, or somewhere “faraway” in Prague, the distance is now the same.
- What do you propose to your public for the present time (we saw your initiative with the series of movies to watch from home)? What else do you have planned and how are your projects affected in the medium and long term?
We present more of Czech culture online, but we also share relevant inspiration from Romania and elsewhere abroad – be it culture, education or civic initiatives connected to the current situation. Apart from that, we try to transform part of our program into online – be it now video-interviews with artists, or later short readings and reflections of writers. We also look for a way to offer online film screenings which have been always popular in the Czech Centre.
- For this year’s edition of Romanian Design Week you were going to present the exhibition Made in CZ / Found in RO. Can you tell us a bit about this project, where did the idea come from, what is the purpose behind it and what did it entail? We know you also developed an album along with the exhibition which was very appreciated. Tell us a bit about the components of this project and its stages.
The idea of the exhibition started in 2017, when we made an open call for objects that were produced in Czechoslovakia or The Czech Republic and Romanians had in their own homes. After gathering over 100 objects, we opened the exhibition at The National Theatre Bucharest. We all know that the Czech and Romanian nations have a lot in common and with this project we wanted to underline the friendship between them in a simple and kind of personal manner – household items that maybe our parents or grandparents bought during their holidays in Czechoslovakia, or where imported thanks to the good economic partnership over the years. After the exhibition, we decided to put together a catalogue, called Czechoslovak Home, where a few other items `made in CZ` are featured, together with essays that explain the historical context, and also some Czech product design and industry related facts. The catalogue was a finalist of the competition The Most Beautiful Books 2019 and is now available for purchase.
- How do you expect the design world to adapt to the current pandemic and how do you believe it will change in the medium and long run? Do you believe that the present crisis might be an opportunity for us to reassess our priorities, our values and our actions?
Honestly, we cannot still know, if in one year we will perceive this challenging period as an intense, but short episode, or whether it will become an essential milestone of our lives with far-reaching consequences. That is fascinating as well as scary. I believe that every crisis is also an opportunity. It depends mainly on us, if we will feed the fear and despair in us, or if we see it as a chance for change and new beginnings.
For the cultural sphere, including design, it is particularly challenging, because many people involved are freelancers and many activities rely on direct, physical interaction with others. This can be somehow compensated, but not fully and even less in the long term.
- The theme of Romanian Design Week 2020 is CHANGE. What do you think/hope CHANGE will mean for you/your cultural projects, for the local creative community? What do you expect to happen with the local cultural scene?
For me it was fascinating to observe how quickly we were able to mobilize and change as individuals and societies during only one month in March. One example from the Czech experience, wearing a mask was something “weird” at some point, and in three days it turned into the other extreme and into a positive massive mobilization. Even though these fast shifts also have their downsides and threats, we can see our real potential for change and how something “unimaginable” can become a new norm very quickly.
One of these “new norms” can be for example more intense and regular support of the local cultural scene and civic sector. One aspect is of course a systematic approach of the state, but it is also upon us as individuals. Just one inspiring example from Prague - soon there will be the “Festival of Nothing”, a large-scale crowdfunding initiative, primarily focusing supporting the independent art scene.
- What would you recommend for our readers in this period of isolation (in terms of activities, resources, books, sites, articles, films – anything)?
I think it is important to focus on activities which brings us peace and satisfaction, and concrete content of books or movies can be secondary. I try to do more regularly some activities which I like, but usually do not have enough time for them – be it long evening calls with friends or relatives, meditation or reading fiction.
If you insist on some recommendation, I quite liked this interview with the Czech poet Petr Hruška which we have also translated in Romanian on our website.
Where you can find them:
https://www.facebook.com/centrulceh/
https://www.instagram.com/centrulceh/
https://www.instagram.com/protectpublicspace/
Design Flags is supported by Qreator by IQOS.
Qreator by IQOS - Home of Creativity is one of the most active promoters and facilitators of creativity in the cultural area of Bucharest. Through the events it organizes or hosts, Qreator by IQOS connects the creative communities of Bucharest with all those passionate about creativity, in all its forms. Qreator by IQOS provides a space where they can express themselves and collaborate, but also the technological resources needed to put their ideas and projects into practice. More information on http://www.qreator.roand http://www.facebook.com/qreator.
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Find out more about Made in CZ / Found in Ro
We also recommend you this interview with Adam Štěch, founder of OKOLO, who, at the invitation of the Czech Centre, was supposed to hold a conference within the DESIGN FLAGS program.