When Monsters Dream [exhibition opening]

Raw, interdisciplinary art of the Czech post-underground: sound, image, and performance converge in an unstable, immersive environment. Support independent art and accessible culture by purchasing a Donation Ticket! Every dollar supports the Czech Center in our goal of developing new opportunities for creativity and innovation in New York and around the world! Suggested donation: $10. The exhibition presents the work of artists connected to the Prague-based post-underground collective Střešovická Kramle, whose practice spans visual art and performance. Curated by Tereza Špinková, it brings together works by Václav Girsa, Tomáš Hrůza, Tom Kotík, Michal Mariášek, and Daniel Vlček. Closely tied to the group’s first New York performance at Bohemian National Hall, the exhibition offers a glimpse into the collective’s visual language. Moving between painting, sound, installation, and video, the works cross disciplines and resist fixed form. Recurring motifs—shared across both their music and visual practice—include dystopian imagery, environmental anxiety, and hybrid, often unsettling figures. The exhibition unfolds as a shifting environment, somewhere between concert, installation, and narrative space. Václav Girsa’s work forms a central axis of the exhibition. His paintings oscillate between immediacy and instability, where everyday forms merge with subconscious and mythic elements. Built through an intuitive, process-driven approach, they carry a restless, pulsing energy. Daniel Vlček engages with the idea of resilient ecosystems through his work with algae, while Michal Mariášek presents paintings of animal forms. Tomáš Hrůza explores nomadic modes of existence through photography and video, and Tom Kotík’s installation examines the tension between sound and object. Following the opening of the exhibition, the evening continues with a live performance by Střešovická Kramle, with Simon Deschamps and Club Ecology as the opening act. DISCLAIMER Tickets and Admission: Tickets are free and may be sold in excess of venue capacity. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis; late arrivals may be denied entry once capacity is reached. All ticket sales are final. Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the show starts; latecomers may be refused admission. Media Recording Notice: By attending this event hosted by the Czech Center New York, you consent to being photographed and recorded. The Czech Center New York and its partners may use these images and recordings for promotional purposes. Health and Safety: By attending this event at the Czech Center New York, you acknowledge and accept that participation is voluntary and at your own risk. The Czech Center New York is not responsible for any illness, injury, or other health-related issues that may arise before, during, or after the event. We encourage all guests to follow current health guidelines and act responsibly for their own safety and that of others.