CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Party in the 21st Century, an art exhibit celebrating the nearly extinct Slovak “parta”, opens January 18 at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library.
The parta is a type of fancy headband that brides often wore on their wedding day. The festive and ceremonial hair stylings were decorated in designs unique in every region of Slovakia, varying in shapes, sizes, materials used, ribbons and accessories.
While the tradition of the parta, or party in plural form, has fallen into oblivion, Slovak photographers Zuzana Sénášiová and Ľubomír Sabo, producing under LSZ Photography brand, art painters Sarah I. Avni and Ivana Mintálová ,and ethnologist Katarína Chabrečeková, teamed up to bring it back to life. The result of their three-year project is a collection of artwork that celebrates the nearly extinct “party” and wreaths from all over Slovakia, presented in a modern art design that combines photography and painting.
Party in the 21st Century will be on display in the Anderson Gallery through April 19. The exhibit is sponsored by Western Fraternal Life.
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National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library
The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is a museum that celebrates life: Czech life, Slovak life and American life. The Museum seeks to inspire people from every background to connect to Czech and Slovak history and culture. Through extraordinary exhibitions and experiences, the Museum tells stories of freedom and identity, family and community, human rights and dignity connecting yesterday with today and tomorrow. The Museum honors those who immigrated to America and worked hard, contributing their skills and vision to the formation of our nation. For more information, visit www.ncsml.org or call (319) 362-8500.