ARTIST PROFILE

Antonín Jirát

  • Czech Republic (b. 1984 in Prague)
  • Currently in Prague, Czech Republic.
  • Antonin graduated from the University of Jana Evangelisty Purkyně in Ustí nad Labem. Until summer semester 2018, together with Jiří Thýn, they lead a studio of post-conceptual photography at FAMU.

REPRESENTATION

CONTACT & LINKS

ARTIST INFO

ARTIST STATEMENT

  • Sum up the main character of your work, your long-term interests and themes.
In general, I do installations consist of photographs and objects.
My themes are offered in situations (installations) which I create. Situations lead visitor to read and imagine my intentions. These stories have an open end. I base my work on the title. Titles conceptualizes all my works.
Sum up my themes: Medium photograph and object itself. Material options, and its connotations. Myths, stories. Documentary image as an option for something new.  

  • Describe the context of your work – what are your inspirational sources and theoretical starting points, which artists and tendencies do you consider as referential to your work.
Inspiration sources: Art History, Dada, Arte Povera, Music, Theoretical Physics, Fiction.
Theoretical starting points for example: Texts and ideas of Hito Steyerl, Ingo Niermann, Roland Barthes, Rosalind Krauss, Boris Groys, Jussi Parikka, etc..

List of artists which are referential to me: Wolfgang Tillmans, John Baldessari, Shannon Ebner, Moyra Davey, Sam Lewitt, Pierre Huyghe, Walead Beshty, Matt Paweski, Jiří Thýn, Gedi Sibony, Markus Schinwald, New Scenario, etc...

  • Try to characterize what makes your work specific, wherein lies its force, what makes it different from the work of artists with similar approaches and themes.
The original materiality and character of an artifact is at the core of my interest.
I avoids unnecessarily complicated processes. I do easy tasks rather, than use difficult digital media, or interactive technologies. Simple basics, shooting, drilling, gluing, etc, are giving me enough power to let happen and tell what I wish. And therefore, I believe that my work could be more specific, recognizable.

  • Do you deal with preparation and research?  
Yes, I do.

  • How do you search for your themes? How do you choose the media you work in?
I am educated in the traditional photograph - photograph is obvious for me thus. The medium of the object I consider as a most independent medium without limits.

  • What is your vision for the future? How do you want to develop your work and continue your previous projects/realizations? What is your long-term goal/dream?
I will continue in nutmegs object next year. I will develop project further in the physical and theoretical way. I am preparing bigger scales variations for next year. 6 m wide and high at least. And my dream is to exhibit evolution of the project at Turbine Hall at Tate Modern. And I have many more dreams:) of course.








BIOGRAPHY

2015 – 2018 an assistant in Jiří Thýn's Studio at FAMU.

2013 – 2015 taught New Media at FAMU.

He co-organizes the City Surfer Office gallery in Prague.

He co-founded a now former culture web portal FOODLAB.CZ focusing mainly on contemporary Czech art scene.