Out of Town!

Description

The exhibition organized on the occasion of Jindřich Štreit's 80th birthday presents a unique double portrait of this exceptional personality, both photographer and cultural organizer. It is by no means a review of a man who would slow down. On the contrary. The author's exhibition, titled "Z města ven!" (Out of Town!), which will be held from May 21 to September 6, 2026, at the Museum of Arts in Olomouc, shows that vitality, interest in others, and the desire to be active can accompany a person throughout their life, regardless of age. The exhibition presents two important aspects of Štreit's work: his photographic work from the 1980s and his long-standing activity as an exhibition curator at the former Sovinec school. Both are linked by a common theme: a deep interest in people and their daily lives. About the exhibition: "Out of Town!" Photographic work and exhibition curatorship of Jindřich Štreit
DATES: from May 21 to September 6, 2026 / extended until October 18, 2026
OPENING: May 21, 2026, at 6:30 PM
LOCATION: Museum of Modern Art, Salon and Cabinet
CURATORS: Štěpánka Bieleszová, Arkadiusz Gola
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN: Štěpánka Bieleszová
GRAPHIC DESIGN: Petr Šmalec
PRESS: Martin Navrátil
INSTALLATION: Vlastimil Sedláček, Filip Šindelář, Radka Žáková
COLLABORATION: Department of Collections and Documentation (Zdeněk Sodoma), Restoration Service (Jakub Barna, Veronika Langer Klimszová, Anna Píšťková, Gabriela Polívková) The exhibition was realized in collaboration with the City of Rzeszów Photography Gallery and the Zabrze Coal Mining Museum.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Piotr Piech, City of Rzeszów Photography Gallery Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday, from 10 AM to 6 PM PARALLEL EXHIBITION PROJECTS: Lenka Zavadilová. The Lubawka Station | May 23 – September 13, 2026 | Amadeus Coffee & Wine Zuzana Fajmonová. Pop Art | March 2 – June 30, 2026 | Bistro Central | 1st floor
People First The first part of the exhibition features unpublished photographs from the 1980s, taken in the former Sudetenland region. The author took them at the time but never exhibited them. They come alive today, after many decades. It is not just a document of the pre-1989 campaign. Štreit captures human relationships, traditions, joys, and difficulties of daily life. In his images, the village becomes a miniature model of society as a whole. One sees both cohesion and solitude, fatigue and hope. But what is essential is that his photographs are neither sensationalism nor distant critique. They are born from a personal relationship, trust, and long-term contact with the inhabitants. Štreit was never on the sidelines. He was an integral part of the environment he photographed. And it is precisely this humanity that gives his photos their strength, even after decades. The courage to create even in difficult times The second part of the exhibition traces Štreit's activity as an exhibition curator at Sovinec, where, from 1974, he created a meeting place for artists on the margins of official cultural centers. During normalization, under the watchful eye of censorship and state power, he managed to create a space for free exchange of ideas and creation. The year 1982 marked a dramatic turning point: he was accused of damaging the reputation of the Republic. Such an experience could have broken many people. But for him, it only strengthened his determination to continue. Even if he could only exhibit in a limited way and mainly in alternative spaces, he never stopped creating or supporting others. Engagement as a philosophy of life Jindřich Štreit's life shows that engagement is not a matter of age but of mindset. Throughout his life, he was interested in social issues, marginalized people, those who go unnoticed. He photographed elderly people, disabled people, people facing difficult life situations. Always with respect and empathy. His story can be an inspiration: each of us can engage in our own way. Some help through photography, others through volunteering, caring for loved ones, or showing interest in neighbors. The important thing is not to remain indifferent. The exhibition "Out of Town!" therefore does not fundamentally turn to the past. It rather shows that even at 80, one can be full of energy, curiosity, and a desire to create. And that an active life, openness to others, and the will to help give old age depth and meaning. Note: This text was translated by an automatic translation software and not by a human translator. It may contain translation errors.

Highlights

• Exhibition dedicated to the 80th birthday of Jindřich Štreit
• Presentation of his photographic work from the 1980s
• Opening on May 21, 2026, at 6:30 PM

General Information

The "Out of Town!" exhibition will be held from May 21 to September 6, 2026, at the Museum of Arts in Olomouc, with an extension until October 18, 2026. It highlights the career of Jindřich Štreit, photographer and exhibition curator, exploring his interest in people's daily lives.

Location

Denisova 47, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic

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