Caution Hot

The contemporary art exhibition is a new addition and one of the highlights of this year’s Prague Pride festival, being held for the very first time. Eight artists, ranging from emerging talents to established names honored with the Jindřich Chalupecký Prize, will showcase their works. You’ll have the chance to explore the art of Michal Durda, Jan Durina, Barbara Kleinhamplová, Maria Lukáčová, Jan Matýsek, Ezra Šimek, Mark Ther, and Jaro Varga.

The diverse approaches, media, and themes presented in “Caution Hot” are unified by central themes of family roots, home, self-acceptance, and personal identity formation. Artists of diverse identities offer a wealth of authentic and personal perspectives, intentionally transcending the usual label of queer art. Curators Matěj Forejt and Pavel Liška present the theme of family – this year’s festival focus – in a multi-layered way that challenges the traditional, conservative understanding of the concept.

Some of the exhibited works will be seen for the first time in Prague, while others might be on display for the last time. Additionally, some pieces were created specifically for this exhibition.

Presenting the curators
Matěj Forejt – a curator and art journalist. He comments on contemporary art through reviews and radio segments. In 2019, he received the Věra Jirousová Award in the category of young art critics, and in 2022, he was nominated for the Czech-German Journalism Award. As a curator, he enjoys focusing on moving images and animation. He co-curated the exhibitions “Animation 70” and “One-to-One: The Challenges of the White Cube” at the UM Gallery, and together with Pavel Liška, he co-created the exhibition “Meda – Ambassador of Art” at the Kampa Museum. As an editor, he prepared the book “Art from the GDR” and collaborated on the publications “Mapping the Moving Image: Media, Actors and Places in the Czech Environment” and “Journey into Prehistory: On Exhibiting Museum Collections of Art, Design, and Architecture.”

Pavel Liška – a curator currently working at the Museum of Art and Design Benešov (MUD*). His work focuses on art from the second half of the twentieth century. He has organized exhibitions at the Kampa Museum (“Meda – Ambassador of Art”), UM Gallery (“Conflict House?”), and the Czech Centre Berlin. As editor and co-author, together with Robin R. Mudry, he prepared the interdisciplinary anthology “TEXTILE Manifestoes,” which explores various issues related to textile art, fashion, and textuality, placing them in a broader political, sociological, philosophical, and art-historical context. He has also published numerous catalogues accompanying exhibitions at the Kampa Museum and MUD*.

Entrance fee – free

Accessibility – suitable also for teenagers