Contemporary Czech Art in Berlin w/ Libuše Jarcovjáková, Lucie Černá and Klára Tasovská about photographic series T-Club
Podcast Contemporary Czech Art in Berlin

In the latest episode of the Contemporary Czech Art in Berlin podcast, Simona Binko sits down with Czech photographer Libuše Jarcovjáková, curator Lucie Černá, and film director Klára Tasovská to discuss the powerful photographic series T-Club, which captures the underground LGBTQ+ scene in 1980s Prague. The conversation explores the exhibition’s significance, the success of the award-winning documentary film, Jarcovjáková’s personal experiences behind the photos, and the lasting impact of these images today.

Libuše shares the process behind her intimate portrayal of life in the T-Club, describing it as a rare moment of freedom amidst a repressive political landscape. She recounts how, after months of immersion in the space, she began photographing the vibrant yet hidden world that existed there. Her work offers a vivid and emotional snapshot of a marginalized community during a time of great societal pressure.

Lucie discusses her curatorial approach to the T-Club exhibition in Berlin, emphasizing the importance of creating a space that captures the club’s atmosphere and the sense of liberation it provided. She highlights the success of the project, including the publication of a book and its continued international recognition. This success is also due to the documentary film Noch bin ich nicht, wer ich sein möchte, directed by Klára Tasovská, which brings Libuše’s photography to life, combining visual storytelling with Jarcovjáková’s diary entries and photographs. The film has been well received, not only in German cinemas but also internationally. It earned several film award nominations and won the Czech Lion Award for Best documentary feature and Best film editing.

For those interested in Czech photography, queer history, or the interplay between personal and political storytelling, this episode offers a rich and compelling listen. T-Club – Just Like in Paradise is on view at KVOST until 19. 4. 2025, while Jarcovjáková’s retrospective at the National Gallery Prague runs through March. The film Noch bin ich nicht, wer ich sein möchte is currently screening in German cinemas. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the extraordinary work of a photographer who has fearlessly documented the unseen.