CCAiB w/ Lucie Nováčková, Klara Hobza & Marthe Howitz about (RE)Union - Contemporary Czech Art in Berlin

This episode highlights the artistic journey and innovative projects spearheaded by Czech artist Lucie Nováčková during her residency with Culterim in Biesenthal, Germany, initiated by the Czech Centre Berlin.

Her project, Reunion, explored themes of connection, transformation, and self-discovery through a 430-kilometer pilgrimage from Prague to Berlin. Along the way, Lucie documented her experiences using journal entries and a textile map, merging traditional craft with conceptual artistry. She emphasized the parallels between physical movement and the act of sewing, using a red thread to metaphorically “embroider” the landscape. Her journey also delved into feminist perspectives, midlife reflection, and the intimate relationship between humans and their environment, drawing inspiration from Czech literary traditions and her personal history.

Lucie's collaboration with her cousin, Berlin-based artist Klara Hobza, marked the culmination of Reunion. Their connection revealed striking similarities in their artistic approaches, such as exploring landscapes through physical experience—Lucie by walking, Klára through scuba diving European rivers to uncover hidden histories. Biesenthal, with its vibrant artistic community and tranquil natural surroundings, provided a supportive space for this project. Culterim residency program, which prioritizes collaboration and personal growth within a familial atmosphere, enriched Lucia’s experience. The initiative exemplifies the potential of creative residencies to foster deep artistic inquiry, intercultural exchange, and enduring bonds among artists.

This was first year that the Czech Centres offered a two-month residency to an artist from Czechia in collaboration with Culterim and IDU, initiated by the Czech Centre Berlin as part of the long-term project Contemporary Czech Art in Berlin (CCAiB), which aims to promote mapping, information and connections in the field of contemporary visual art between the Czech Republic and Berlin/Germany.