The connection between the worlds of art and technology holds a symbolic dimension in this instance. Jan Barta is a descendant of the prominent Czech inventor and alumnus of the Prague technical university, František Křižík, whose bust stands at the main entrance to the Faculty of Electrical Engineering (FEL) building. Křižík himself was renowned for his ability to blend the technological innovations of his era with the aesthetics of light and space—a quality fully embodied in the famous illuminated fountain that bears his name.
"Technology and art share more in common than meets the eye. Both are rooted in the ability to view the world from a different perspective and the courage to explore unknown realms. I am delighted that Jan Barta’s collection will bring this experience directly into the spaces where our students and staff pass every day, and that CTU is becoming a place where technical thinking and art meet quite naturally," says Michal Pěchouček, Rector of CTU.
By incorporating this exhibition into its premises, CTU joins the ranks of distinguished international universities where the study of technical and natural sciences has long been intertwined with art. Providing students with exposure to the art world—alongside their technical expertise—and helping them develop other facets of their personalities was the collection owner's primary motivation for loaning the works. “The ability to view a problem from an unexpected perspective, to connect seemingly disparate concepts, and to transcend the boundaries of one’s own narrow specialization often paves the way for new solutions. That is precisely why creative thinking and the courage to embrace the ambiguity of the subject matter are so important to science. After all, many top scientists are also deeply engaged in the arts,” says Jan Barta, adding: “I resonate with CTU’s ambition to become an institution that, alongside professional excellence, fosters an environment of openness and interdisciplinary interaction.”
The exhibited collection of artworks intentionally features artists spanning several creative generations. Visitors will find paintings by Magdalena Jetelová (b. 1946), Jan Hísek (b. 1965), Krištof Kintera (b. 1973), Patrik Hábl (b. 1975), Lukáš Karbus (b. 1981), Radka Bodzewicz (b. 1991), Ester Knapová (b. 1993), and Anna Ruth (b. 1994).
The exhibition, which will run for approximately one year, is open to the academic community and all CTU employees. The display includes a catalogue of the paintings and a navigation system—developed by experts from the CTU Faculty of Electrical Engineering—to guide visitors through the exhibition.