Milan Salák intervenes in a multidisciplinary way in contemporary art operations. Beside independent art works he also focuses on curatorial and critical activities. The artist’s approach bears traits of engagement. He requires that his artistic activity devote itself to social, political and cultural contemplation and critique. The artist has served on organisational committees for thematic exhibits (Sport-Gallery, Green/Zelená, Source of New Style, etc.). These exhibits expressed a new curatorial approach, different from traditional group or artist-focused presentation.

The bonding link of these events became a certain current socio-cultural theme that of course did not have an expressed sociological nor theoretic nature. This theme can be understood rather as a metaphor, expressing unconscious social phenomena and stereotypes. Drawing attention to the common, or the seemingly non-problematic, plays a marked role in Salák’s activities. Sometimes in this way he exposes his own personal „myths“: an obsessive interest in maps, aviation technology, etc. Elsewhere he works with „evident“ stereotypes and conventions of contemporary Czech society (media images, logos, sports, entertainment). He tries to expose new societal types (icons), methods of discussion, dress (civil uniforms). His artefacts thus oftentimes have a simplified symbolic form (albeit highly professional) that facilitates communication with the viewer. The viewer is often provoked and attacked. Sometimes the media image is merely recoded: the positive pole is flipped to the negative (a car becomes a skull, Conan the Barbarian becomes Onan the Barbarian). Salák focuses on the simple and readability of his works. He wants to elicit a concrete reaction from his viewers, to eliminate any type of confusion derived from possible misunderstanding. Visual communication is also an area tied to the artist’s pedagogic activities. The artist’s approach is to a large degree conceptual. Thought here plays out, however, in concrete, visual codes, which are not a mere illustration of theoretical hypotheses.

1995-1996 High School of Arts and Crafts (VŠUP), Prague, studio of prof. P. Nešleha
1992-1999 Academy of fine art (ART), Prague, studios of prof. B. Dlouhý, M. Knížák, J. David
1987-1991 Secondary School of Fine Arts Václav Holar (VŠVH), Prague

(selection)

2007
Guerilla, galerie H, arts, Bukureš

2006
Salak33, Altán Klamovka, Praha
Guerilla, galerie Karlín Studios, Praha

2005
Lozenge, galerie Nábøeží, Praha
Turbinenman, Preproduction space, Berlín

2004
Room of Hero, galerie Darlington, Stevenage, UK

2003
Two Horizons, galerie Display, Praha

2002
Mapscapes, galerie Salamander, Olomouc

(selection)

2008
Současný český kubismus, GHMP, Praha

2007
Sovereign Art Price 2007 – finalists, London
Safe, galerie Karlín Studios, Praha

2006
Duch, hrdina, stroj, galerie Médium, Bratislava
Slepí muži přemìřují slona, galerie C2C, Praha
Přehlídka současného umění, Galerie Mars, Moskva
Sommerschpiele, galerie Nábřeží, Praha
Check point, galerie Nod, Praha
Inscape, galerie NCA, Moskva

2005
PragueBienale 2, Praha
Inscape, Galerie kritiků, Praha

2004
1. ročník malířského sympózia, Galerie Brno, Brno
Space camp, Kolovratský palác, Praha

2003
3. Zlínský salon mladých, Zlín
Perfekt tense/Malba dnes, Jízdárna pražského hradu, Praha

2000
Hnízda her, galerie Rudolfinum, Praha
Chalupáři, Praha
2. Zlínský salon mladých, Zlín
Dokouřeno, výstavní síň Mánes, Praha

1999
Sentimenty, Městská galerie, Karlovy vary
Trezory, Galerie AVU, Praha

1998
Snížený rozpoèet, výstavní síň Mánes, Praha
Poslední obraz, galerie Rudolfinum, Praha

1996
Mladí a neklidní, Městská galerie, Karlovy vary

1995
POSTAIDS, Galerie AVU, Praha

1993
To, co zbývá, Štenclův dům, Praha

(selection of curatorial projects)

2006
Chaplin Resident Fighter (společně s J. Davidem a J. Kadlecem), galerie Futura, Praha

2005
Videocamp, Altán Klamovka, Praha

2003
Obsese sběru, OGV Jihlava, Jihlava
Jarní Sklizeň, galerie Tvrdohlaví, Praha

2000
Enkláva (společně s J. Ruchařovou), Praha
Jižní záležitost (společně s V. Soukupem), České Budějovice
Zdroje nového stylu (společně s J. Kadlecem), Jízdárna pražského Hradu, Praha
Nevystavujete v roce 2001, Galerie VŠUP, Praha

1999
99CZ (společně s J. Davidem a J. Kadlecem), Praha

1998
Sport-Gallery (společně s J. Dolejšem a J. Kadlecem), Strahov, Praha
Zelená (společně s J. Kadlecem), Galerie AVU, Praha
Boystory (společně s J. Dolejšem a J. Kadlecem), Praha

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