Charles Explorer logo
🇬🇧

The Monastery of Adriena Šimotová

Publication at Faculty of Humanities |
2021

Abstract

In the 1980s, Adriena Šimotová completed repeated work residencies on the premises of the former Franciscan monastery in Hostinné in the Krkonoše foothills. This particular period represents a unique chapter in the artist's creative life.

The abandoned monastery corridors and hallways later became her studio during these short residencies. It was here and at that time when she was able to work on unofficial exhibitions for a circle of several friends in the local corridors and halls.

The cycle entitled Mapping Space - The Body of the Monastery (Mapování prostoru - Tělo kláštera) from 1989 became one of the collections of works that she created on the premises of the monastery. This cycle was dedicated directly to the abandoned religious dwelling in Hostinné.

The monastery was thus abolished in 1950 by a decision of the state authority, in connection with the banning of monastic communities in what was then Czechoslovakia. In this series, Mapping Space - The Body of the Monastery in Hostinné, the artist attempted to preserve the traces of the spiritual tradition that kept the monastic community alive for centuries and became a participant within the community.