In the Týden umění podcast, we welcomed Lukáš Houdek, an artist, journalist, and humanitarian worker whose work focuses on supporting minorities. Through his diverse projects, he brings their issues to the public and deeply articulates the theme of identity in society from various perspectives.
The issue of identity is also explored in the group exhibition Point of View: Identity at the DOX Centre for Contemporary Art, where Lukáš Houdek will lead an interactive workshop during PAW. “The exhibition deals with various layers of identity. There are two works that touch on national identity, which a person is either born into or acquires. Then there are works that address gender identity. It’s a synthesis of different approaches to these topics,” explains Lukáš Houdek. He also discusses two of his own works presented in the exhibition—one concerning the Roma population and the other dealing with the refugee experience.
Through art, Lukáš Houdek also addresses questions of his own identity and memories stemming from traumatic experiences. In the early stages of his work, art was more of a form of art therapy for him. Only later did he begin using artistic methods to articulate broader societal issues that matter to him or directly affect him. It is essential for him to consider themes in his work comprehensively and in-depth. In one of his projects, the podcast series Hrana, he explored men’s relationships with their bodies and the ambiguity shaped by social pressures and stereotypes.
You can delve into the layers of Lukáš Houdek’s work during a workshop, which will be part of the festival’s Superstudio and will be conducted in English.
EDUCARE / POINT OF VIEW
September 5, 16:00–17:00
At the exhibition Point of View: Identity
An interactive talk in English will be led by Czech artist and journalist Lukáš Houdek, who began using art as therapy. It was his only way of talking about painful experiences from the past with those closest to him. Over time, his work evolved from personal traumas to addressing societal traumas and issues. One of these works is part of the Identity exhibition at the DOX Centre for Contemporary Art. Houdek brings various taboos to light, confronting society with them.
