Marek Herout – Zbytkotvar

Garden Installation Zbytkotvar presents a photographic series by Marek Herout dedicated to the ever-changing forms of smoke produced by burning wood and branches. The artist observes smoke as a fleeting byproduct of fire—as residual matter without a clear purpose, which nevertheless constantly transforms, creates its own shapes, and temporarily reshapes the surrounding space.

The photographs were taken in the South Bohemian villages of Zhoř and Alenina Lhota, where Herout primarily captured natural smoke without chemical additives. In addition to documenting its natural forms, the author also experimented with ways to isolate and direct it using everyday objects. Here, smoke becomes a medium in its own right, simultaneously revealing and engulfing objects, transforming them into indistinct remnants of their original shapes.

Marek Herout focuses primarily on the medium of photography. In his work, he consciously employs the principle of chance. He draws inspiration from objects that have become redundant. He deliberately places them in new, often surprising contexts, thereby altering their meaning. He has presented his work in solo and group exhibitions in Milevsko and the surrounding area.

curator: Jan Freiberg