Silent Spring: Art and Nature 1930–1970

The exhibition catalogue Silent Spring focuses on the historical perspective of humans and the transformation of their relationship with nature in Czechoslovakia from the 1930s to the early years of the Czech normalization period. The artistic dimension of the project concentrates on the search for organic abstract forms, which first appeared mainly in pre-war surrealism and later in the sculptures of the 1960s. It traces the connections between the art of the first and second modernity, divided by World War II, in which the exploration of form resonated with the question of humanity’s place in the world.

The project borrows its title from the seminal book by American biologist Rachel Carson, who was the first to describe the environmental consequences of pesticide use, a topic that remains relevant today, much like the related reflections opened in the historical perspective. The exhibition primarily focuses on the emotional bond between humans and all living things, which may serve as motivation for protecting nature and ensuring our survival in the face of climate change. The ongoing relevance of revising the modernist relationship with nature is also shown through works by contemporary artists, who carry the historical discussion over to the present day.