Cedar Rapids, Iowa – The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library will open three new exhibits this month in an unprecedented event for the NCSML, which usually presents one exhibit at a time. The schedule changed due to the building’s temporary closure because of Covid-19 requirements.
The building, and the exhibits, will open on Monday, June 15. However, the first week of reopening will be for NCSML members only. Everyone must have a membership to enter the Museum. NCSML staff will monitor operations carefully the week of June 15 and if all goes well, we will open to the public on Monday, June 22. However, if anyone would like to become and member and be among the first to see the new exhibits, they can do so by phone or on the NCSML website.
The three exhibits are as follows:
Czech Heroines: Prominent Czech Women Past and Present is an illustrated mosaic of the stories of prominent Czech women, honoring the rulers, politicians, artists, scientists, and athletes who left an important mark on history and the present day. The project is inspired by the 100th anniversary of the ratification of women’s suffrage in Czechoslovakia in 1920, and the 200th birthday of Božena Němcová, writer of the final phase of the Czech National Revival movement. It will remain on display in the Anderson Gallery through September 7.
Artists as Activists is an exhibition of works created by internationally known contemporary artists in response to political and cultural oppression. Curated by Charlotta Kotik, an independent curator based in Brooklyn who is a former Head of the Department of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Brooklyn Museum, this exhibition is a new addition to the international art scene, as many of the pieces in Artists as Activists have never been shown together before. Artists featured include Tania Bruguera, David Černý, Juanma Garcia, Hong Hao, Emily Jacir, jc lenochan, Malik Sajad, and Ai Weiwei. It will remain on display in the Petrik Gallery through September 20.
A Century of Robots: From Čapek to Now celebrates the 100th anniversary of the 1920 play, R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots) by Czech writer Karel Čapek. It was in this play that the word robot was first used to denote an artificial humanoid. In this exhibition, visitors will gain an appreciation for Čapek’s life and work, while learning about the connection between a Czech author and one of the most fascinating technical revolutions of the 20th century. A selection of toy robots and robot-inspired collectibles from television and movies will be featured, as well as historic items on loan from Collins Aerospace, and two interactive art pieces made by Metro STEAM Academy students at Metro High School. A Century of Robots: From Čapek to Now will remain on display in the Smith Gallery through October 25.
For more information, contact the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library at 319-362-8500.