Milan Knížák

Prof. Milan Knížák, D.A. (1940) is one of the most famous Czech artists. He is a member of the international avant-garde group Fluxus and was appointed director of Fluxus East by the group’s founder George Maciunas in 1965, as the only member from the Eastern Bloc. Milan Knížák was the first artist to organize happenings in Czechoslovakia, and at the age of 26, he was included in the highly prestigious publication in this genre entitled Allan Kaprow: Assemblage, Environments & Happenings (Abrams, New York). Knížák is also a creator of broken music – music recorded from destructed and doctored vinyl records. His work spans the fields of art and design, as he has collaborated with renowned Italian design studios such as Alchimia from Milan where he showcased his furniture and fashion pieces, as well as with the brands Zabro (Zanotta), Alessi and Rossetti.

From 1963, his focus shifted to fashion and architecture. After 1990, he published theoretical texts and essays, both in newspaper and book form. From 1990 to 1997, he served as Chancellor and Professor at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague where he headed the Intermedia Studio. Milan Knížák has greatly contributed to the development of National Gallery Prague where he was General Director for 12 years. He received multiple awards for his art and teaching, e.g. Grand Prix at the 5th International Drawing Triennale in Wroclaw in 1997, Medal of the Ministry of Education of the First Grade for pedagogical activities in 1997, ARTeon Award for lifetime achievement awarded in 2002 in Poznan, Universitas Masarykiana Foundation Award awarded in 2006 in Brno and Medal of Merit of the First Grade awarded by the President of the Czech Republic for service to the state in the field of culture and arts in 2010. His artworks are included in public and private collections across the globe and were presented at more than 100 solo and group exhibitions.