Everybody needs the podium
Pavel Kopriva, Czech Republic
Artist-in-residence
SPACES World Artists Program
Artist-in-residence Pavel Kopriva came to Cleveland through the SPACES World Artists Program, which is designed to give visiting artists the time and opportunity to create new work and interact with the Northeast Ohio community.
Kopriva's work has been widely shown in the Czech Republic, where he resides, throughout Eastern Europe, and parts of Western Europe. He holds a Doctorate from the Prague Academy of Architecture, Art, and Design. He currently teaches Multimedia Studies at the Technical University, Liberec, Czech Republic.
Kopriva's work deals with ideas about science and technology, and how our roles—personal and societal— affect our reality. Often dealing with secrecy, the secrets we keep and the secrets that are kept from us, Kopriva's work questions how our reality contrasts with what the government, organized religion, and the media tell us about "reality."
In Kopriva's first exhibition in the United States, Pavel created Everybody needs the podium, a site-specific installation that continues his interest in the multiple roles that people in governmental power must, or choose to, participate. His multimedia installation will compare our government's current expanding role as a world power, as it compares to Kopriva's experience in Communist society.
Built on his upbringing in a Communist society—where every artistic work must be approved before being allowed to be exhibited or sold—Kopriva's interest in American "reality" is a relevant, if not ironic, contrast.
Visit Kopriva's Web site.
Events in conjunction with Everybody needs the podium include:
Thu Jun 22 5–8pm
Members-only preview party
Complimentary pizza from three-time National Pizza Champion Romeo's Pizza and Subs, beer tastings from Great Lakes Brewing Company, and music by Uncle Scratch's Gospel Revival.
Fri Jun 23 5–9pm
Opening reception
Featuring audio-visual fusions by Videoart "VJ" Kasumi; futuristic melodies and instrumental grooves by Warren Harris aka Hanna; and found sound beat mashup by Adrian Bertolone.
Tue Jun 27 7pm
Gallery discussion and slide presentation
SPACES World Artists Program artist-in-residence Kopriva will be giving a gallery talk and slide presentation of life in the Czech Republic, and its impact on his work.
Wed Jun 28 7pm
Conspiracy Theory?
Got a conspiracy theory? Convinced the government is involved with UFOs? What really happened in Iraq?
Tell us about it! Share your conspiracy theory—real or imagined—at an open mic night with Kopriva. Kopriva’s work gives the podium to you—step-up and tell us your story!
All events are free and open to the public.
For support of the SPACES World Artists Program, and Pavel Kopriva’s residency and exhibition, we would like to thank:
Michael Amstutz
Lyz Bly and Kristen Bly- Rogers
Robert and Nancy Bostwick
Chris Brauser
Jeff Chiplis
Christa Ebert
Bruce Edwards
Mike and Joan Fath
Julie, Zach, and Robby Fehrenbach
Abbey Fitz
Jake the dog
Skye Kellerman
Erin Kray
Jessica Kress
Jerry Mann
Angelica Pozo
Process Creative Studios
Marisa Prihodova
Dana Recmanova
Rich Sarian
Marilyn and Maya Simmons
Blanche Vanis
Susan Vincent
Laila Voss
Royden, Arden, and Soren Watson
Brinda Woods
We would also like to acknowledge the Czechoslovak Society of Arts and Sciences, and the Slovak Institute.
SPACES World Artists Program is generously supported by the Ohio Arts Council, The Cleveland Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Nimoy Foundation, and The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Arts.