Biography

Curriculum Vitae

Pavel Mrkus is an audiovisual artist who makes use of digital moving images and sound often in relation to specific space. He graduated from the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague. His later study of Religious Studies at the Charles University in Prague together with experience of four years teaching position at Toyama City Institute of Glass Art in Japan lead him to unique mixture of cultural paradigms within his work. After showing at 50th Venice Biennial in 2003 he participated in many group and solo shows around world. He was awarded a Personality of the Year 2012 for his exhibition Next Planet in The Brno House of Arts. Together with visual artist Daniel Hanzlik they established Time-Based Media studio at Faculty of Art and Design at J. E. Purkyne University in Usti nad Labem, where between 2015 and 2023 he became the dean of the faculty. Since 2023 he is active as a head curator of Signal Festival in Prague.

Contacts

Study

1989–1995
Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design, Prague, prof. Vladimír Kopecký
1991
Polytechnic University, Stoke on Trent, England
1998–2000
Faculty of Theology, Charles University, Prague

Selected Solo Exhibitions

2022
Another Place. Schafhof Europaisches Kunstlerhaus, Freising, Germany
2021
Science Friction. Gallery Jelení, Prague
2020
Observatory. Gallery Caesar, Olomouc
2018
Seeing Time. GASK, Kutna Hora (with Daniel Hanzlík)
Survival Rules. Zona Gallery, Szczecin, Poland (with Daniel Hanzlík)
Fading Codes. Schemnitz Gallery, Banská Stiavnica, Slovakia (with Tomáš Rafa)
2017
Transformator. The New Stage, National Theatre, Prague
R.E.D.. Museum of Art, Olomouc
2016
Processor. Gallery Alfa Košice
Another Time. Modern Art Gallery, Roudnice nad Labem
2015
Radiolaria. Emil Filla Gallery, Ústí nad Labem
2014
Great Render. Die Aktualität des Schönen..., Liberec
2012
Next Planet. Pori Art Museum, Pori, Finland
2011
Next Planet. House of Art, Brno
2008
Space Walk. Galleria Contemporaneo, Mestre/Venice
Water Tales. Gallery Jeleni, Prague
Iris. Büro für Kunst, Dresden, Germany
2007
F. A. Q.. Kunsthalle Dresden, Germany (+ Daniel Hanzlík)
2006
Space Walk. House of Art, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
2005
Seagull. Büro für Kunst, Dresden, Germany
Scanner. Kunstverein Viernheim, Germany
Shift. Gallery Jan Koniarek, Synagoga Trnava, Slovakia (+ Daniel Hanzlík)
2004
A Prayer of PW20/LW. Kunstlerhaus Schloss Wiepersdorf, Germany
KotoPlay. Chromosome, Gallery for International Media Art, Berlin
Patterns. Daimaru Dept. Store, Osaka
Stray Currents. Mau Fine Art Gallery, Toyama (+ J. Hongo)
2003
Fragmented. Gallery BAU, Toyama
A Prayer off. Büro für Kunst, Dresden, Germany
In Between. Gallery Enomoto, Osaka
2000
Es fiel ein Reif. Atrium, Moravian Gallery, Brno
1999
Unreacheable. Gallery by the White Unicorn, Klatovy

Selected Group Exhibitions

2022
Power of Lace. Museum of Decorative Arts, Prague
Ráj je vždy jen věcí volby. Oblastní galerie Vysočiny, Jihlava
2021
Cache. Gallery Rudolfinum, Prague
Plan B. Smetanova výtvarná Litomyšl
...a ptáci opět zpívají. Emil Filla Gallery, Ústí nad Labem
2020
Krajina 0. Kvalitář Gallery, Prague
Inhabitated. House of Art, Ústí nad Labem
Lungomare. European City of Culture, Rijeka, Croatia
2019
Sounds, Codes, Images. Prague City Gallery
Boudník. Moravian Gallery, Brno
Kosmos. Gallery U bílého jednorožce, Klatovy
2018
Minimal Difference. Kvalitář Gallery, Prague
Mo(nu)mental Topography. Ústi nad Labem
Energy of first Line. Gallery of Modern Art Hradec Králové
2017
Inner Image. Appearing/Dissapearing Images. Galeria Arsenal Bialystok, Poland
Signal Festival, Prague
Interiors of the Soul. Western Bohemian Gallery Plzeň
2016
Space. Gallery NOD, Prague
Frontiers of Solitude. Gallery Školská 28, Prague
Skaftfell Art Center, Seydisfjordur, Island
Epiphany. House of Art Usti nad Labem
3x2 pro klášter. Broumov Monastery, Broumov
Ze středu ven. Umění regionů 1985–2010. Kunsthalle/Hala umenia Košice
Breaking out of Dilemma. Rotor Centre for Contemporary Art, Graz
Rekurze 1.618, Video versus film. Oblastní Galerie Liberec
2015
Arte Laguna Prize, Telecom Italia Future Centre, Arsenale, Venezia
Exakta. Galerie NoD, Praha
Jak nic nechtít? Festival 4+4 Days in Motion. Prague
3x2 pro klášter. Broumov Monastery, Broumov
Ze středu ven. Umění regionů 1985–2010. Kunsthalle/Hala umenia Košice
Breaking out of Dilemma. Rotor Centre for Contemporary Art, Graz
Rekurze 1.618, Video versus film. Oblastní Galerie Liberec
2014
Awaking Dragon, National Gallery, Prague
Rekurze 1.618. Liberec Regional Gallery, Liberec
2013
Problem is Here. 4+4 dny v pohybu, Prague
Social Design. Emil Filla Gallery, Ústí nad Labem, Czech Republic
Doteky hudby / Touches of Music. North Bohemian Gallery of Fine Arts, Litoměřice
Fußnoten zum Aufbruch. Motorenhalle, Dresden, Germany
2012
Geometrův zlý sen. Topičův salon, Prague
CAMP 12. International Festival for Visual Music, Württenbergischer Kunstverein Stuttgart, Germany
Play Well. Czech Center, New York
Sinnesrausch. OK Offenes Kulturhaus Linz, Austria
Future, Landscape. Parco del Contemporaneo, Venice, Italy
Generator. Emil Filla Gallery, Ústí nad Labem, Czech Republic
2011
Edge Park. Forte Marghera, Venice
Parallel History. North Bohemian Gallery of Fine Arts, Litoměřice
Rhytmic Exercises. BWA Sokol, Nowy Sacz, Poland
Scheinbar Sein, Faktisches und Virtuelles. Altana Gallery, Dresden
2010
Formate der Transformation 89–09. Museum auf Abruf – MUSA, Vienna, Austria
Play. Mánes, Prague
One Day You Will Lose It All. 4+4 dny v pohybu, ULUV, Prague
Fertile Ground. Museum of Glass, Tacoma
A Part of No-Part. Chelsea Art Museum, New York
2009
Moving Artist. Motorenhalle, Dresden
Labyrinth of Light. Ecotechnical Muzeum, Prague
Place in Heart. Emil Filla Gallery, Ústí nad Labem
Hell of Things. Galerie Kronika, Bytom, Poland
2008
Once is Nothing. Brussels Biennial, Brussels
Obraz, komunikace, styl, funkce, koncept. Veletržní palác, National Gallery, Prague
Spiknutí. Emil Filla Gallery, Ústí nad Labem
Place In Heart. Galeria Arsenal, Bialystok, Poland
Be A Happy Worker: Work-To-Rule! Galerija Miroslav Kraljevic, Zagreb
Close Encounters. Fine Arts Center Galleries, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, US
2007
New Video Art from Central Europe. RISD Museum, Providence, US
2006
New Mystics. Sala de Arte Contemporaneo, Tenerife, Canary Islands
Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale. Niigata, Art Front Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
Modern Time Work, Machineries and Automation in the Arts of 1900. Palazzo Ducale, Genova
Frisbee. Contemporary Czech Video and Media Art, House of Art, Brno
The Destiny of Paradise is in its Geometry. Kunstverein KISS, Untergroningen, Germany
ArteFiera. Bologna, Italy
Arco. Madrid, Spain
2005
Helden Heute. Centre PasquArt, Biel Bienne, Switzerland
Roboter. Opelvillen Rüsselsheim, Germany
Der Rote Teppich. Kunstverein KISS, Untergroningen, Germany
Captured in Light and Space. EXPO 2005, Shimin Plaza Gallery, Toyama, Japan
Vladimir Kopecky and his Sphere. Chappell Gallery, New York
2004
Sputniza. Kunsthaus, Dresden
Loop 04. Videoart Festival, Barcelona
Frisbee: Contemporary Czech Video Art. MNAC, Bucurest, Romania
Paralel Projections. House of Art, Opava, Czech Republic
Individual Systems. Museo Archeologico, Potenza, Italy
Art Brussel. Belgium
The International Exhibition of Glass. Kanazawa
Hot Destination/Marginal Destiny. House of Art, Brno, Czech Republic
Video Programm of BDV Paris. Georges, Centre Pompidou, Paris
2003
Individual Systems. La Biennale di Venezia, Arsenale, Venice
Mission Possible. 1st Prague Biennale, National Gallery, Prague
Another Movement. Kanazawa, Japan
Glass Works 2003. Art Gallery Shimin Plaza, Toyama
Vessels. Koganezaki Crystal Park, Koganezaki
2002
IV. Biennial of Young Artists. Gallery of Prague City
Monochromy in Czech Art of the 90ties. Czech Museum of Fine Art, Prague
Walking. Gallery Skuc, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Japan Contemporary Glass Exhibition. Notojima
2001
KK. House of Art, Opava
2000
Melancholy. Moravian Gallery, Brno
Unclear Evidence. House of Art, České Budějovice
2nd Zlin Show of Young Artists. State Gallery, Zlín
Via 2000. Gallery Via Art, Prague
1999
Art for Hospital. V. Spala Gallery, Prague
K nebi. Gallery Stemberk, Šternberk
KK. Slovak National Gallery, Bratislava
L`arte contemporana Ceca. Palazzo Coen, Salo, Italy
Laboratory. Gallery Sypka, Vlkov u Brna

Commissions in public space and institutions

2022
Power of Lace. Exhibition architecture, Museum of Decorative Arts, Prague
2020
Josef Svoboda - scénograf. Exhibition architecture, videos, interactivity, Gallery of Central Bohemian Region, Kutná Hora
Comenius 1592 - 1670. Exhibition videography, Jízdárna, Prague Castle
2019
Ascher, The Mad Silkman. Exhibition architecture and videos, Museum of Decorative Arts, Prague
2018
Kupka. Exhibition videos, National Gallery Prague
2014
Vně a uvnitř. Exhibition architecture and videos, Museum of Decorative Arts, Prague
2011
Indikátor. Permanent data video installation for Czech Statistical Office, Prague
Exposition of Astronomy. 12 videos for the National Technical Museum, Prague
2010
Neuron. Light object for Faculty of Art and Design at J. E. Purkyně University, Ústí nad Labem
1998
Czech Center. Brussels

Works in collections

Gallery of the Central Bohemian Region
Museum of Decorative Arts Prague
Prague City Gallery
Center for Contemporary Arts Prague
Anita Beckers Gallery Frankfurt
Toyama City Collection
Glass Museum Notojima
Crystal Park Koganezaki
Other private collections

Symposiums

2000
International Glass Symposium, Crystalex Novy Bor, Czech Republic
1997
Near The Beginning, Center For Metamedia, Plasy, Czech Republic

Scholarships

2004
Künstlerhaus Schloss Wiepersdorf, Germany

Awards

2013
Osobnost roku 2012 / Personality of the Year 2012, Art and Antiques, Prague
2003
Honorable Mention, Vessels, Koganezaki, Japan
2002
Silver Prize, Japan Contemporary Glass Art, Glass Museum, Notojima, Japan
Honorable Mention, Contemporary Glass Triennial, Toyama, Japan

Teaching positions

since 2008
Time-Based Media Studio at Faculty of Art and Design at J. E. Purkyně University, Ústí nad Labem
2007–2008
Artcrossing: Art (in) Motion, Developing art-educational program for National Gallery Prague
2006
Faculty in Glass and Digital Media depts. at Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, US
2005–2008
Teaching Assistant at Studio of Digital Media at Liberec University of Technology, Czech Republic
2000–2004
Visiting Associate Professor at Toyama City Institute of Glass Art, Toyama, Japan
1995–2000
Teaching Assistant in Glass Studio at Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague