Bohuslav Reynek - Between the Heaven and the Earth

In fourteen symbolic stations (of the cross), Pavel Chalupa examines Reynek’s art in the context with his poetry and translations. The extraordinary versatility of this cult personality in 20th century alternative Czech culture has given rise to this book which touches upon the most inspiring and relevant aspect in Reynek legacy – the absolute rejection of the theory of growth as well as of unlimited progress without any soul, not in theory but by its own example. As the author of eleven books of poetry, seventy book translations and approximately one thousand artworks – prints, drawings, cliché-verre and oil paintings – but also as a shepherd of sheeps and goats, Reynek seeked to leave his legacy without any useless words or unnecessary artistic groping among the scenery of the raging modernism. His simple and understandable work speaks to us directly and clearly. In addition to reproductions of the poet’s prints and drawings, the reader will find erudite commentary connecting these works with the printmaker‘s poems and translations from his favourite French and German authors. The book is complemented with a biographical overview and an extensive bibliography of Bohuslav Reynek’s poetic oeuvre and work as a translator.