Jan Solpera: Rounded

An exhibition of typographic work by Jan Solpera continues a series of graphic design showcases that the West Bohemian Gallery in Plzeň systematically develops as a partial replacement for the discontinued international Brno Biennial. Plzeň is a fitting location for this project, not least because it is home to the Faculty of Design and Art Ladislav Sutnar at the West Bohemian University.

The curators are graphic designers Zuzana Burgrová and Robert V. Novák, who have previously collaborated on the exhibition "Rostislav Vaněk Extended". Their aim is to highlight details and approaches in Solpera's work that the author himself tends to marginalize, but which are essential and style-forming for the whole. The central theme is his distinctive calligraphic approach to title text compositions and his profound knowledge of the history of typefaces, which he builds upon in his own unique way.

The exhibition will incorporate excerpts from Jan Solpera's own text "Typo života běh ( ; ! : ? & ~ ! ! ! ? ! : [ … ] + ) = Solpera", in which he describes personal memories and experiences from his field as well as from his many years of teaching. His scholarly work "Klasifikace typografických písem latinkových" from 1977 will also be featured. The exhibition is not arranged chronologically, but as a line of formal language and semantic relationships. It also includes film animations illustrating Solpera's calligraphic principle, as well as material exhibits — posters, books and other printed outputs.