Alternate decription

Michal Durda

michaldurda@email.cz

12.09.2002

Třebíč, Česká republika

Praha

+420 601500734

Artist's statement

I explore the concept of queerness, using performative events or moving image to create an image of a world of culture shaped by Shame, Resistance and the celebration of Otherness. I question the relevance and actuality of Body Art in contemporary post-structuralist discourse, through performativity, which I see as a historical language of non-normativity. I find my starting points in action and performative situations, to which I propound an aesthetics emerging from the fluid grey zones of queer culture, be it Camp, Fetish or Protest. My work is based on the lived experience of Otherness in the human body, which experiences ecstatic states, relationality and the search for the whole Self. My work is inspired by contemporary queer/feminist discourse. Formally, I was shaped by the concepts of Romantic Conceptualism and Emoromanticism. I perceive the strength of my work in its vulnerability. It communicates serious themes in a playful and sometimes naive-looking way. It relies on a kind of DIY culture of artistic craftsmanship, which gives it an authentic and sincere communicative character that the viewer can tune in to - it is close to them in its worldliness - so there is a transgression between the "material" substrate and the perception of the audience. I begin my creative process with a preliminary and diabolical search for themes based on personal fascinations. Through the subsequent analysis of these subtopics, I form a question that shields a super-personal theme for the subsequent creative process. I consider this method to be Research-based. Furthermore, my work is guided by intuitive composition and the creation of images that are alienated by retrospective reflection on their relevance to the subject matter. In my long-term interest, I would like to connect the themes of sacred gnosis and its dogma with secular to vulgar queerness and its cultural rhythm. To deal with a kind of shadow side of human hedonism in the context of queer politics.

Bio

Michal Durda (*2002) is studying at the FaVU BUT in Brno (Body Design Studio lead by Lenka Klodova). He completed a two-semester internship at AVU (New Media Studio 2 of Darina Alster and Kača Olivová). He is currently attending the Visiting Artist Studio of Julischka Stengele at FaVU in Brno. His early work explicitly relied on queer theory and speculation. His works convey lived experience beyond normativity. Recently, he has been exploring the grey areas of how we define queerness. Symbols, gestures and ecstatic contemporary mythology perforated mostly by the body, give the subjects in his projects the solitary and eager character of faith and the desire of the martyr. He elaborates these intimate experiences into often mundane, even vulgar, action situations, which he treats as material to transform into other works. On Stage actively participates in group exhibitions or performative events. For example, he co-performed in the research collective performance Liquid Queer Memorial at Troja Castle (2023), the Festival of Naked Forms in Lviv (2024) and participated, as an exhibitor, in the group exhibition Prague Pride (2024).

CV

Education

  • Academy of Fine Arts, New Media 2, Prague
  • Brno University of Technology, Faculty of Fine Arts, Body Design Studio
  • Secondary School of Mechanical Engineering and Arts Opava, Creation of Toys and Game Objects

Awards/Residency

Exhibition / Project List

  • (If You Want It) Beg For It [video]. Overload. Wannieck Gallery, Brno. 2026
  • Sex Was Never About Me [collective performance]. Galerie Františka Drtikola, Příbram (CZ). 24.7., 29.8. 2026
  • Crystaldom of Chemsex [screening]. Festival současného umění, Prostějov. 2026
  • Looking Like a Calf on a New Door [collective performance with Izbová teplota collective]. Biennale Matter of Art. National Gallery Prague. 11.6. 2026
  • What a Golden Calf Wishes for When It Sees the First Star Raise [collective performance with Izbová teplota collective]. Festival Mach. Pistori palace, Bratislava (SK). 6.6. 2026
  • t Was a Meeting Pleasuring You [solo show]. Galerie Františka Drtikola, Příbram (CZ) 24.7–29.8. 2026
  • Crystaldom of Chemsex [solo show]. Galerie TIC, Brno (CZ) 16.–20.6. 2026
  • Nicota je daň za pochopení těch, které jsem kdysi miloval [collective performance with Izbová teplota collective]. Brno Art Week. Galerie Umakart, Brno (CZ), 24.5. 2026
  • Peg the Fag: Manifesto [online show]. Monster Manifesto. ScreenSaver Gallery. 25. 07. – 30. 08. 2025
  • Kurwa Kurwie Łba Nie Urwie [solo show]. Galerie Umakart. Brno (CZ) 17.3–6.4. 2025
  • Ear Passion Grain [solo performance]. Festival of Naked Forms. Dziga gallery, Lviv,
  • Caution Hot [collective show]. Pride Gallery Langhans, Prague (CZ). 5.8.– 11.8. 2024
  • How To Reach Heaven Ethically. (A)Void Floating Gallery, Prague (CZ). 20.11. 2023
  • Fearlessness. Photogether Gallery, Zlín (CZ). 14.10.–24.10. 2023
  • Liquid Queer Memoria | Performance - by Darina Alster & Martin Kamen, Troja Chateau, GHMP, Prague (CZ). 22.8. 2023