Milan Knížák
Bio
Prof. Milan Knížák, D.A. (1940) is one of the most famous Czech artists. He is a member of the international avant-garde group Fluxus and was appointed director of Fluxus East by the group’s founder George Maciunas in 1965, as the only member from the Eastern Bloc. Milan Knížák was the first artist to organize happenings in Czechoslovakia, and at the age of 26, he was included in the highly prestigious publication in this genre entitled Allan Kaprow: Assemblage, Environments & Happenings (Abrams, New York). Knížák is also a creator of broken music – music recorded from destructed and doctored vinyl records. His work spans the fields of art and design, as he has collaborated with renowned Italian design studios such as Alchimia from Milan where he showcased his furniture and fashion pieces, as well as with the brands Zabro (Zanotta), Alessi and Rossetti.
From 1963, his focus shifted to fashion and architecture. After 1990, he published theoretical texts and essays, both in newspaper and book form. From 1990 to 1997, he served as Chancellor and Professor at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague where he headed the Intermedia Studio. Milan Knížák has greatly contributed to the development of National Gallery Prague where he was General Director for 12 years. He received multiple awards for his art and teaching, e.g. Grand Prix at the 5th International Drawing Triennale in Wroclaw in 1997, Medal of the Ministry of Education of the First Grade for pedagogical activities in 1997, ARTeon Award for lifetime achievement awarded in 2002 in Poznan, Universitas Masarykiana Foundation Award awarded in 2006 in Brno and Medal of Merit of the First Grade awarded by the President of the Czech Republic for service to the state in the field of culture and arts in 2010. His artworks are included in public and private collections across the globe and were presented at more than 100 solo and group exhibitions.
Works
Exhibitions
- 2023 / Keep Together, DSC Gallery, Prague
- 2018 / To Live Otherwise, Art Gallery Karlovy Vary and House of Arts Opava
- 2016 / 30 Portraits, Beseda Gallery, Ostrava
- 2015 / Stories, New Hall Gallery, Prague
- 2015 / Clothes Painted on the Body, Milan Knížák Gallery, Prague
- 2011 / Thing/Thought: Fluxus Editions, 1962–1978, MoMA, New York
- 2014 / Milan Knížák, Art Scarpulin, Merano
- 2003 / Es ähnelt der Mathematik, Kunstforum beim Rathaus, Hallein
- 2001 / Invitation to an Exhibition of Works of Milan Knížák, Pałac Górków, Muzeum Archeologiczne, Poznan
- 2000 / Happily to Nowhere, Mánes Gallery, Prague
- 2000 / Hommage à Wolf Vostell, Wewerka Gallery, Berlin
- 1999 / Paintings-Objects, Museum and Gallery Prostějov
- 1998 / Van Gogh’s Dream and a Few Sculptures, Damascus
- 1997 / Uncertain Look, Caesar Gallery, Olomouc
- 1996 / New Paradise, Mánes Exhibition Hall, Museum of Decorative Arts, Prague
- 1995 / Table Like a Painting, Painting Like a Table, Genius Loci Gallery, Prague
- 1994 / Confused Paintings, AVU Gallery, Prague
- 1993 / Milan Knížák, Objekte, Skulpturen, Gallery in the Traklhaus, Salzburg
- 1992 / UFO-OFU, MXM Gallery, Prague
- 1991 / Neo-Knizak, Mudima Foundation Museum, Milan
- 1989 / Milan Knížák 1953–88, House of Arts Brno
- 1989 / Milan Knížák, Preunschen
- 1989 / Arbeiten 63–89, Edition Hundertmark, Cologne
- 1988 / A Bit of Architecture, Cultural Center Opatov, Prague
- 1987 / Kleider auf dem Körper gemalt, Liget Gallery, Budapest
- 1987 / Burning Mind Projects, Wewerka Gallery, Hannover
- 1986 / Softhard, Museo Alchimia, Milan
- 1984 / Licht und Raum Design, Cologne
- 1983 / Neue Gedanken, Ars Viva Gallery, Berlin
- 1980 / Some Documentary, Ars Viva Gallery, Berlin
- 1968 / Fluxus West, San Diego
- 1963 / Wall Exhibition, Nový Svět, Prague