Šimon Pikous: Six Survived

In February 2025, a fire completely destroyed the facilities of the Motyčkovic children's centre. Six puppets were found in the ruins, having survived the flames – photographer Šimon Pikous took them on and documented them using analogue large-format photography. He worked with a historic camera and 9×12 cm negatives, which allow direct contact with the photographed object and a high level of detail.

The displayed enlargements in 50×70 cm format present the puppets at larger-than-life scale. The artist hand-enlarged, masked, and chemically processed each sheet of paper. The exhibition is conceived as a dialogue between the flat image and the three-dimensional artefact: the photographs are complemented by an installation of puppets in illuminated boxes.

"We thank Šimon for taking care of them. For us, the loss of the puppets is an enormous personal sorrow – we held each one countless times, while imagining, creating, dressing, and performing. So break a leg, our beloved puppets, on your final stage. We believe that one day the desire to create will return." (Věra Motyčková, principal)