The exhibition focuses primarily on the conversion of original factory halls into arts centres. Visitors are given the opportunity to see how DOX’s development has progressed “in the context of the urban environment of lower Holešovice and its historical metamorphoses”. The exhibition draws attention to the changes of the historical environment in Holešovice, an area where completely new and original buildings are being built. Even though the new development is completely contemporary, it doesn’t clash with the character of the original quarter, but, to the contrary, it complements it rather well. “Transformation of the original factory complex into the Centre for Contemporary Art is a metamorphosis of form and function, and as such is a symbol of the transformation of all lower Holešovice, “said Artistic Director of DOX, Jaroslav Anděl.
Photographs of Holešovice, which are part of the project fotodokument.cz, were taken by Jan Bezucha, Michaela Brachtlová, Jiří Ernest, Ondřej Bouška, and David Stecker. The archive architect Ivan Kroupa, provided the photos of the Centre’s development. The exhibition was prepared by Jaroslav Anděl, Věra Marešová and Leoš Válka, and will be held until 4th April.
The exhibition will be supplemented by lectures and presentations taking place every Monday and Thursday until 2nd March.
The events will, among other aims, get visitors acquainted with the urban and architectural developments of Holešovice, as well as with industrial monuments of the area and other parts of Prague. You will be able to learn about both Czech and international trends in conversions of industrial premises for the purpose of contemporary art presentation. Lectures will be held by, for example, architect and architecture historian, Zdeněk Lukeš, and by Eva Dvořáková from the National Institute for the Preservation of Historical Monument. Photos were taken by architecture’s photograph, Pavel Frič.