The Mene Tekel International Project against Totalitarianism Kicks off in Prague

The exhibition titled “Reflection of Totalitarianism in Art and Education” opened by Charles University Rector, Professor Václav Hampl, in the Karolinum building on Monday, February 21^st was the first of a series of events of the Mene Tekel international project against totalitarianism. Now in its 5^th year, the project is organized by the Art Without Barriers civic association, the Confederation of Political Prisoners, Charles University, the City of Prague and the Institute for the Study of Totalitarian Regimes.

Put together by curator Michal Kuchta, the “Reflection of Totalitarianism in Art and Education” exhibition, featured as part of the intergenerational project, is divided into nine units: “Jiří Sozanský: Sculptures, Paintings and Photographs”; “The Fate of Sculptor Šlezinger”; “Hill of the Crosses” – a collection of photographs of a Christian pilgrimage site; a set of documents “Hungary 1945 – 1956”; “Prague through the Lens of the Secret Police”; “The Past behind the Wall” – student designs for a future use of a prison building in Uherské Hradiště where political prisoners were incarcerated in former Czechoslovakia; “Propaganda for the Youngest” – exposing the way the totalitarian system manipulated children’s thinking; a display of unknown satirical works from the archive of the deputy chairman of the Czech Union of Cartoonists titled “Humour from Absurdistan”; and a presentation of the best entries in an art competition for children between 5 and 17 years of age “YES to Freedom, NO to Violence” prepared by the organizers in cooperation with primary art schools. The award ceremony took place during the exhibition opening. The exhibition is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm from February 22^nd to March 5^th. Admission free.

(Marie Kohoutová)

Translation: Pavla Horáková