5,000 m² for art

PLATO is a city gallery for contemporary art. It operates within an area of almost 5,000 m² in the former Bauhaus hobby market in the centre of Ostrava. In a few years its definitive address will be the reconstructed and listed heritage city slaughterhouse from the end of the 19th century next to Bauhaus.

We believe in artists

We provide backing to all who want to understand the world in a broader context. Its complexity and richness are reflected through art. Being part of the international scene and at the highest possible level. We believe in artists and they can rely on us. We initiate creation of new works of art and art projects and devise new formats of contemporary art presentation.

Art in context

Contemporary (visual) art is presented in the context of other disciplines of art and science. We strive towards its deeper appreciation in collaboration with contemporary artists from the fields of music, literature, creative theatre, as well as prominent scholars in art history, philosophy and social sciences. We prepare educational programmes for schools and the general public.

The only city institution for visual art

PLATO is the only organisation subsidised by the City of Ostrava, which is devoted to visual art without building its own collection. A gallery that would be founded and financed by the city was in general demand by art lovers from the 1990s. PLATO was established on 1 July 2016. Its existence was preceded by a grant project in Dolní Vítkovice (2013–2016).

PLATO curators on the new institution

We are a new city institution which searches for adequate formats of presenting contemporary (by definition global) art and for understanding its form, nature and aims – under the specific conditions of the place that it is connected with.

Contemporary art is not a static affair. It is a collection of approaches to producing works of art and their interaction with the public, often requiring unusual support infrastructure, which so far does not exist at the level of a public institution within the Czech Republic. We take the restrictions set by legislation as well as the spatial, organisational and staffing limitations as a challenge to look for fresh solutions which can put up with the unstable and varying demands and forms of contemporary art. We are convinced that an institution should adapt to the nature of contemporary art and the needs of artists, curators and other creative individuals and not vice versa. An institution which rigidly adheres to the established formats and approaches demanded by the public does not work properly and does not fulfil its function – not just in relation to art and artists but, most importantly, in relation to the public. Contemporary art shows and changes the world from perspectives which are not a common component of our everyday behaviour and often even contradict it. This is the real value of art and to insist on it is our responsibility to the public and the founder of the institution.We consider education an equal and inseparable part of the activities and the identity of the institution.

We believe in contemporary art which is, in principle, in a permanent state of birth and whose forms, functions and aims are continually changing in the same way as the whole world. The base values of modern art – being open to the new, criticism of social injustice and belief in humans as free, sensitive and critical beings – continue in contemporary art in a way which is compliant with the 21st century experience and which attains unique forms in different places around the world, including Ostrava.

At this moment there is no general agreement on the future of the city and region in which we operate. We take it as our assignment to use contemporary art to present available and globally inspiring alternatives to this future as well as critical understanding and experiencing of the present. We create awareness of the more and more complicated world and the different ways of understanding, depicting and considering its risks and challenges. With regard to the unique qualities of the place and the state it is in, for which we share responsibility.

Jakub Adamec, Daniela & Linda Dostálková, Michal Novotný, Michal Novotný, Marek Pokorný

Director
Marek Pokorný
marek.pokorny@plato-ostrava.cz

Assistant to the Director
Aneta Galičáková
+420 739 679 429
aneta.galicakova@plato-ostrava.cz

Curators
Daniela Dostálková
Linda Dostálková
Michal Novotný

Curator and programming
Jakub Adamec
+420 739 675 582
jakub.adamec@plato-ostrava.cz

Programme and project manager
Dita Eibenová
+420 739 678 915
dita.eibenova@plato-ostrava.cz

Communication

Communication and PR
Jakub Frank
+420 727 815 134
jakub.frank@plato-ostrava.cz

Audience development
Michaela Ondroušková
+420 737 834 512
michaela.ondrouskova@plato-ostrava.cz

Visitor service
Tereza Měsícová, Magdalena Dušková
+420 702 206 099
info@plato-ostrava.cz

Educational programmes for schools

Gallery educator and coordinator
Iveta Horáková
+420 727 952 712
iveta.horakova@plato-ostrava.cz

Gallery educator
Alice Sovadinová
+420 737 855 798
alice.sovadinova@plato-ostrava.cz

Production and operation

Operation manager
Magda Luňáčková
+420 737 883 976
magda.lunackova@plato-ostrava.cz

Production
Lenka Škutová
+420 720 955 726
lenka.skutova@plato-ostrava.cz

Production
Zuzana Šrámková
+420 739 273 641
zuzana.sramkova@plato-ostrava.cz

Production (part time)
Lucie Gurecká
+420 774 979 000
lucie.gurecka@plato-ostrava.cz

Technician
Adam Serdahely
+420 739 279 185
jakub.cerny@plato-ostrava.cz

Facility manager
Radim Tomašovský
+420 737 859 781
radim.tomasovsky@plato-ostrava.cz

Accountant
Michal Gelnar
+420 605 287 326
michal.gelnar@plato-ostrava.cz