Artists: Tereza Bušková /UK, CZ/, András Cséfalvay /SK/, Jonáš Gruska /SK/, Csilla Nagy /SK/, Ailbhe Ní Bhriain /IRL/, Laura Pawela /PL/ Ivan Svoboda /CZ/

According to many theories escapism is a mental diversion, an escape from an unpleasant or banal reality of everyday life. In extreme cases it involves also activities helping to mute feelings of depression and sadness. While the majority of scholars ascribe negative connotations to this phenomenon, the others perceive escapism as the positive that through dreaming, “experiencing” other realities broadens the horizons of human existence and thus shifts forward the borders of human progress itself. Artists and art itself are often considered to be a form of escapism. Many people perceive the artist as a troubled, non-serious, depressive individual immersed deeply in aimless daydreaming and moonshine.

The exhibition at Prádelna Bohnice features works of selected artists who represent “escapist” art in a sense of Bloch`s theory of hope when it creates other imaginary worlds which eventually can help transform our society. At the same time it tries to present a few artistic approaches and strategies involved in addressing the theme of dreaming, imagination or escape to alternative, often virtual, worlds.