Díky, že můžem & Signal Creative → Democracy?

19–24
  • City center
  • Audiovisual installation

About project

We have a democracy. But what are we doing with it now? 

Czech society has been living in a free state for 35 years. Has the concept of democracy changed over the years? And have we learned to live with freedom and democratic values?  We can agree, but we can also disagree. We can intimidate each other, but we can also be intimidated. We say many words, but many more are said to us. We split into factions, but we can also unite. Is that confusion? No, it’s democracy. It certainly has a lot of problems, but so far we haven’t come up with anything better. 

The visual component of the sound installation is based on the concept of colour psychology, which focuses on the study of the effect of colour on experience and consequently on the entire human organism. Using these principles, we give each line its colour, which changes dynamically according to the content of the message. It evokes emotion, reflects mood.

Audiovisual installation Democracy? was co-produced for the Signal Festival by Díky, že můžem and Signal Creative, with the support of Radiožurnál, iROZHLAS.cz and analytical institute STEM.

Díky, že můžem is a non-profit association made up of students and young people who care about the world around them. We remind the current generation of the values of freedom and democracy and promote civic engagement. The joint project of the Signal Festival and Díky, že můžem is based on a society-wide overlap and aims not only to emphasize the values of freedom, democracy, a healthy and prosperous society, but above all to encourage viewers to reflect on the 35 years since the Velvet Revolution, to become civically engaged and to think about the future in the context of our society.

 

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Artist

Karel Karlos Šimek

Karel Šimek's first experiments with light date back to 2012, when he began to explore the limits of light as a media message. He is an artist who uses light to shape space and play with its possible perception. His steps have intersected with drama, opera, or ballet in all three Czech National Theatres. As a light designer, he has collaborated with Radim Vizváry for a long time. For several years he has worked as a lighting designer with Daniela Špinar. His work experience also includes cooperation with companies such as Lenka Vagnerová & Company, Spitfire Company, Prague Chamber Ballet, Tantehorse and DEKKADANCERS.

Ester Valtrová

During her studies at FAMU's Department of Producing, she participated in films that were screened at major film festivals around the world. Outside of producing, she has worked in theatre and film. She is the author of music for several new circus performances (AirGym Art Company - NonSen(s), Hana Strejčková et al. - Hnízdo na nitkách), and has participated in other projects as an actress. Her original projects include the installation We Call for Help, which reveals the stories of people from socially vulnerable groups in an old phone booth, and a site-specific audio documentary portrait about the life of the nuns of the Voršilka order.

Kateřina Letáková

A graduate of DAMU in drama direction under Jan Nebeský and Prof. Daria Ullrichová, she first studied cultural management and theatre science at Masaryk University in Brno. She has worked with the CED Brno, Činoherní klub, Letí Theatre, JEDL Theatre Association and the National Theatre as part of the ND Young series. During her studies at the AMU Theatre Faculty she created two very successful graduate productions as a director and author, the musical The Beggar's Opera and the chamber production The Worm in the Heart of Man. Since September 2023 she has been a dramaturge at the Dejvice Theatre.

Matěj Lindner

Film sound designer, sound designer and sound artist Matěj Lindner is currently completing his master's degree at FAMU in sound design. He has been working with sound in its many artistic forms - in addition to all branches of cinema, he is also involved in various audio formats, sound installations and theatre performances. Music production is also a great passion of his.

Cast

František Beleš
Kateřina Císařová
Ondřej Dvořáček
Dita Kaplanová
Ester Valtrová
Václav Vašák

Location

CAMP is a multimedia gallery focusing on the future of cities. Its main mission is to improve the public debate on the development of Prague and to bring the topic of architecture to the general public. CAMP organises a rich programme of public discussions, presentations by national and international experts, workshops, screenings, exhibitions and other activities for children and adults. CAMP is part of the Institute for Planning and Development of the City of Prague, the main conceptual workplace of the City of Prague. In addition to the café, bookstore, lecture hall and maximalist projection area, CAMP also has a space in the grounds of Emmaus Abbey, where the traditional summer cinema takes place. The space, which the visitor reaches through the so-called Prager cubes, creates an ideal intimate atmosphere for the audiovisual installation Democracy? from Díky, že můžem.

Supported by

  • Partner of the installation

    Díky, že můžem

  • Partner of the installation

    Radiožurnál

  • Partner of the installation

    iROZHLAS

  • Partner of the installation

    CAMP

  • Partner of the installation

    IPR

  • Partner of the installation

    STEM