Experience the Vibrant Fusion of Contemporary Art at Bechyně Castle This Summer – Kudy z nudy
Notable contemporary artists participating include Daniel Buren, Candida Höfer, Thomas Schütte, and Sol LeWitt. Among the Czech artists, you will also find Milena Dopitová, Margita Titlová Ylovsky, Tomáš Ruller, and Dalibor Chatrný.
Enjoy the sounds of an audio installation in the castle park
This year’s season is particularly notable for impressive site-specific installations, and works that incorporate sound, including the intriguing first-time integration of contemporary art into the castle’s traditional interiors.
This year, for the first time, the castle park will feature the sound installation Intermodal Morphology created by Dutch artist Roland Emil Kuit specifically for Bechyně.
Visitors will scan a QR code to listen to the audio track as they embark on a walk through the park, where various layers of sound will blend with the surroundings and respond to the visitors’ movements. Colorful poles crafted from local Bechyně forests will guide them from one sound area to another.
The attic of the castle granary will host Kuit’s interactive installation Mass. This space will be filled with 10,000 ping-pong balls, which guests can set in motion using a stream of air, allowing them to influence the entire installation’s dynamics. Additionally, the space will be illuminated with a vibrant purple UV light.
Contemporary art makes its debut in the historic interiors
Modern art will also find its place within the historic interiors of the castle along the tour pathway. Swiss multimedia artist Nives Widauer has created a series of art pieces explicitly designed for Bechyně Castle. Her works will appear in nearly every room along the tour route – sometimes as a subtle detail, other times as a striking standalone piece.
The ground floor of the granary will showcase the Stava family collection along with the newly released catalogue *The Stava Family Collection, Part I*. This year’s selection of works from the collection was curated by the exhibiting artists themselves; thus, the exhibition emphasizes the mutual influences, dialogues, and connections between the different artists across generations.Exploring Bechyně Castle and its artistic significance
Bechyně Castle is counted among the most beautiful historic residences in the Czech Republic. It sits above where the Lužnice and Smutná rivers meet in the town of Bechyně, roughly 120 kilometers from Prague. Originally a Gothic fortress built in 1269 by Přemysl Otakar II, it was transformed into its Renaissance style by Petr Vok of Rožmberk in the 16th century.After being nationalized, the castle served various state purposes, including providing accommodation for the Academy of Sciences. In 1992, it was returned to the Stava family, who undertook extensive restoration efforts. Today, the castle has reclaimed its historic charm and under the leadership of Nicole Stava, it serves as a venue for exhibitions, concerts, and other cultural activities.
Nicole Stava, currently in charge of the program at Bechyně Castle, spent over ten years as a consultant at Christie’s auction house. Her goal is to make the castle accessible not only to specialists but also to the general public and to establish a space in the region where the past, present, and future of culture converge.
What to see, discover, and experience in Bechyně?
Among the top attractions in Bechyně is the Rainbow Bridge, which serves as a route for Elinka, the oldest inter-city electric railway in Central Europe. This railway line, connecting Tábor to Bechyně, was designed by inventor František Křižík and celebrated its 120th anniversary since its initial launch in 2023.
