Meet Czech Photographer Roman Franc, creator of “Sokol Loyal Guard” from 1 – 3 p.m. CDT during the opening reception of his exhibition. Light refreshments will be served.
Starting at 1 p.m. CDT, he will give a presentation about his photography and this exhibition followed by a guided tour of his exhibit in the Anderson Gallery. At 2:30 p.m. in the Skala Bartizal Library, “Good Mr. Benda” will play (76 minutes). This documentary is a sensitive portrait of grandfather Miroslav Benda, a tried and true Sokol member and an ordinary man with extraordinary vigor and ideals, revealing a story of human resilience and optimism through nostalgia and situational comedy.
About the exhibition:
In the photographs, the aged bodies of former gymnasts assume long-learned poses, in which they suddenly freeze as if they were to stay that way forever. The sports equipment no longer encourages them to be more active, but rather provides them with a shelter, a place to rest or play.
The portraits of old Sokol members capture the energy accumulated over the years, which may no longer reside in the body, but becomes a matter of the spirit. The images evoke emotion, and at the same time, put us numbed by the “easy” times, on guard.
About Roman Franc (b. 1983)
Roman lives and works in the Czech Republic. Franc studied photography at the Institute of Art Photography of Silesian University in Opava. He splits his time between teaching photography, editorial projects, and his fine art career. Franc’s work is exhibited and collected internationally.
