Jiří T. Kotalík has passed away
emeritus rector and longtime educator of AVU
It is with deep sorrow that we announce that today, after a short and serious illness, the emeritus rector and long-time educator of the AVU, Doc. Jiří Tomáš Kotalík (February 14, 1951 - July 2, 2020), has left us forever.
Jiří T. Kotalík was a prominent Czech art historian, heritage conservationist, and educator. His rich range of professional and popularization activities was united by a passion for history and its significance for society, with his main area of interest lying in the broad field of the history of Czech architecture. His name is inextricably linked to the modern history of the Academy of Art in Prague. He taught here for four decades and also led the school as rector from 1997-2003 and later from 2010-2014.
Jiří T. Kotalík was born on February 14, 1951. His father was Jiří Kotalík, an art historian, a member of Skupina 42, and a leading expert on modern art, who served as the director of the National Gallery in Prague from 1967-1990. From him, Jiří inherited an interest in the history of visual arts at an early age. As a schoolboy, he became a member of the Young Guides Club in Prague. Jiří T. Kotalík studied art history and history at the Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Brno and art history at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University in Prague, then worked at the Prague Centre for State Heritage Care and Nature Conservation. He began lecturing externally at the School of Architecture of the Academy of Art in Prague after 1980, and on January 1, 1984, he became an assistant in the Department of Art History. In 2018, he received the Josef Hlávka Medal.
In addition to teaching the history of art and architecture at the AVU, Jiří T. Kotalík stood out as a curator and organizer of various cultural events that contrasted with the normalizing rigid approach to public social activities. In 1981, he helped organize—and then defended before the authorities—the legendary exhibition "Malostranské dvorky." Young, contemporary artists installed their works directly in the courtyards of Malá Strana. The free, ideologically unburdened, yet playful approach at that time generated unprecedented public interest. At the same time, he advocated for the preservation of a unique cubist kiosk in Vrchlického sady near Prague's Main Train Station. This small architectural gem, probably designed by Pavel Janák, was designated for demolition in 1980. Jiří T. Kotalík not only assisted in the administrative rescue of the building, but also personally renovated it with a group of friends.
After 1989, Jiří T. Kotalík fully engaged in organizing cultural life. He was a member of the scientific council of the National Heritage Institute, the minister of culture's council for science and development, the executive committee of the National Committee of ICOMOS, the civic association Symposion and Pro Bohemia, the Art Historical Society in the Czech Lands, the Association of Art Critics and Theorists, and many others. In the 1990s, he helped to restore the Association of Fine Artists Mánes, and from 1999-2005 and 2008-2011, he served as its president. He became one of the curators of the extensive project "Deset století architektury" (Ten Centuries of Architecture). From 2003-2004, he was the General Director of the National Heritage Institute. Together with architect David Vávra, he published successful books, "Obrazy z dějin české architektury" (Images from the History of Czech Architecture, 2003) and "Drobné perly české architektury" (Small Gems of Czech Architecture, 2012).
However, Jiří T. Kotalík's greatest strength lay not in writing long texts, but in live interpretation. His lectures, guided tours, or excursions were famous and unforgettable for participants. In direct confrontation with artworks and architecture, he was able to unobtrusively convey expert information as well as his enthusiasm for the subject matter presented.
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Jiří T. Kotalík was a prominent Czech art historian, heritage conservationist, and educator. His rich range of professional and popularization activities was united by a passion for history and its significance for society, with his main area of interest lying in the broad field of the history of Czech architecture. His name is inextricably linked to the modern history of the Academy of Art in Prague. He taught here for four decades and also led the school as rector from 1997-2003 and later from 2010-2014.
Jiří T. Kotalík was born on February 14, 1951. His father was Jiří Kotalík, an art historian, a member of Skupina 42, and a leading expert on modern art, who served as the director of the National Gallery in Prague from 1967-1990. From him, Jiří inherited an interest in the history of visual arts at an early age. As a schoolboy, he became a member of the Young Guides Club in Prague. Jiří T. Kotalík studied art history and history at the Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Brno and art history at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University in Prague, then worked at the Prague Centre for State Heritage Care and Nature Conservation. He began lecturing externally at the School of Architecture of the Academy of Art in Prague after 1980, and on January 1, 1984, he became an assistant in the Department of Art History. In 2018, he received the Josef Hlávka Medal.
In addition to teaching the history of art and architecture at the AVU, Jiří T. Kotalík stood out as a curator and organizer of various cultural events that contrasted with the normalizing rigid approach to public social activities. In 1981, he helped organize—and then defended before the authorities—the legendary exhibition "Malostranské dvorky." Young, contemporary artists installed their works directly in the courtyards of Malá Strana. The free, ideologically unburdened, yet playful approach at that time generated unprecedented public interest. At the same time, he advocated for the preservation of a unique cubist kiosk in Vrchlického sady near Prague's Main Train Station. This small architectural gem, probably designed by Pavel Janák, was designated for demolition in 1980. Jiří T. Kotalík not only assisted in the administrative rescue of the building, but also personally renovated it with a group of friends.
After 1989, Jiří T. Kotalík fully engaged in organizing cultural life. He was a member of the scientific council of the National Heritage Institute, the minister of culture's council for science and development, the executive committee of the National Committee of ICOMOS, the civic association Symposion and Pro Bohemia, the Art Historical Society in the Czech Lands, the Association of Art Critics and Theorists, and many others. In the 1990s, he helped to restore the Association of Fine Artists Mánes, and from 1999-2005 and 2008-2011, he served as its president. He became one of the curators of the extensive project "Deset století architektury" (Ten Centuries of Architecture). From 2003-2004, he was the General Director of the National Heritage Institute. Together with architect David Vávra, he published successful books, "Obrazy z dějin české architektury" (Images from the History of Czech Architecture, 2003) and "Drobné perly české architektury" (Small Gems of Czech Architecture, 2012).
However, Jiří T. Kotalík's greatest strength lay not in writing long texts, but in live interpretation. His lectures, guided tours, or excursions were famous and unforgettable for participants. In direct confrontation with artworks and architecture, he was able to unobtrusively convey expert information as well as his enthusiasm for the subject matter presented.
(with the use of text by Doc. Mgr. Tomáš Pospíšil, PhD.)
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