The Story of the Trade Fair Palace - Invitation to the Exhibition

The Story of the Veletržní Palace / March 21 - July 27, 2014
curators Radomíra Sedláková, Jakub Potůček

Veletržní Palace
1924 - construction          

1974 - fire

2014 - present
 
Veletržní Palace is one of the most beautiful and distinctive buildings in Prague. It was built in the late 1920s and its "life" has been influenced by the political, social, and cultural events of the time. In 1974, a devastating fire swept through the building and after long discussions about how to deal with the remnants of the structure, it was handed over to the National Gallery in Prague.
For the Collection of Modern and Contemporary Art located here, the Veletržní Palace is an important subject. Even upon its completion, the building itself drew attention due to its size and functional operation; as a gallery, it often evokes very conflicting emotions. The project dedicated to the 40th anniversary of the Veletržní Palace fire is a signal that the National Gallery is considering this remarkable building in a comprehensive manner, as a key exhibit of the Collection of Modern and Contemporary Art. At the same time, it also addresses how it determines the projects and exhibitions held there, touching more broadly on the very mechanism of gallery operations.
Throughout 2014, a series of exhibitions, discussions, workshops, and other events related directly or indirectly to the building will take place at the Veletržní Palace – for instance, the first exhibition will present the story of the Veletržní Palace itself and reveal a number of surprising findings; the exhibition "Prague Glass Hell" will focus on its own fire in 1974. The exhibition of Jiří Sozanský will then show how the theme of the Veletržní Palace made its way into the work of one of our most interesting artists in the late 1970s and carries a number of often existential themes. Discussions and workshops will offer meetings with architects (e.g., with the author of the post-fire reconstruction, Miroslav Masák), art theorists, historians, and even architecture students. They will focus on contemporary reflections and seek additional ways to work with the Veletržní Palace – in terms of new permanent exhibitions or more generally in the context of the capital city of Prague.
Most anniversaries lead to a balance. Thus, the 40th anniversary of the Veletržní Palace fire provides an opportunity to summarize the recent history of this exceptional building, highlight the genius loci of this place, and also showcase its possible future face.

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