New York Exhibits Showcase Design from Czech City

The exhibit "Fresh Design" will showcase porcelain and glass works, alongside contemporary accessories.

Mairi Beautyman -- Interior Design, 5/14/2008

Beginning mid-May, a small city in the Czech Republic will get one big showing in New York. "Zlín in New York" focuses on the history, architecture, art, culture, literature, education, tourism, trade, and commerce from Zlín. The show will be held at various locations across the city through July 31.

Touted by The New York Times as "an architectural gold mine," Zlín has a population of 80,000 and is located 200 miles south east of Prague, near the border with Slovakia.

The initiative kicks off May 15, with "Fresh Design," showcasing porcelain and glass works, alongside contemporary accessories, shoes, and fashion pieces created by the students of Tomas Bata University in Zlín. An opening event -- free and open to the public -- will be held May 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the Czech Center New York.

On May 19 at 7 p.m., architect Eva Jiricna will speak at the Bohemian National Hall. This event is also free and open to the public. On May 20, at 3:30 p.m., the invitation-only presentation "Doing business in Zlín," will be held at the Bohemian National Hall. That evening at 7:30 p.m., an invitation-only gala celebration for the exhibition series will be held at the Museum of Arts and Design. The gala will feature a travel presentation on the city, an architecture, fashion, and photography exhibition, and a fashion show by Zlin-born designer Sarka Siskova.

 Organized by the Czech Center New York, "Zlín in New York" was created and sponsored by the Zlín City Hall and Tomas Bata University, in cooperation with the Czech Consulate General, CzechTrade, CzechInvest, and CzechTourism. Additional support came from the Bohemian Benevolent and Literary Association.

From top: Peugeot vehicle prototype by Michal Vlcek; Tatana Kucharova, Miss World 2006.

Photo credits from top: Courtesy of Tomas Bata University; Lucie Robinson.