Designblok, the biggest design event in the Czech Republic is about to return to Prague for its 26th annual festival already in a few weeks. From October 2 to October 6, Prague will be transformed into the biggest design hub of Central Europe, with YOUTH being this year’s theme of the grand show. The festival will be held at multiple locations throughout the city—Prague Castle Riding School, Prague Castle Riding School, Prague City Museum, Bastion Florenc, The Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague, and the galleries, showrooms, pop-up shops, and stores.
Designblok will offer exceptional exhibitions showcasing traditional art, as well as innovative and curated production. As this year’s theme is YOUTH, the festival will highlight the young talent of Central European schools and universities and will also feature the Designblok Diploma Selection and Designblok Talent Cards presenting exceptional design students.
Designblok will include innovative Czech and international designs from hundreds of participating designers, featuring a major retrospective solo exhibition of Boda Horak and a curated exhibition High Craft at the Prague Castle Riding School.
The festival is returning to Prague Castle, due to the previous year’s successful reception, while the Prague City Museum will open its doors after a recent renovation.
The Museum of Decorative Arts will be renamed YOUTH Exhibition House for the duration of the festival. It will be the hub of Designblok’s Openstudio, a platform showcasing the work of designers, design studios, students, and educational institutions. It acts as a laboratory for contemporary design, featuring product, fashion, jewelry, and graphic designers, as well as illustrators. The focus is mainly on exhibitions of prototypes and small-scale production, without the involvement of commercial manufacturers.
As Designblok is divided into two concepts, besides the Openstudio visitors will get a chance to attend the Superstudio space. There they will find exhibitions of companies, manufacturers, and shops in the spheres of furniture, lighting, and home accessories.
“Youth. A period associated with new beginnings, love, big plans, and expectations. Time runs slower and nothing is impossible. In 2023, Designblok spectacularly celebrated its quarter century of existence. Although it is one of the oldest design shows in the world, it is also going through a period of dynamic growth and development. Even design is a relatively new discipline in the context of history and society as a whole, but it is no coincidence that it is one of the important drivers of the 21st century. It is an exaggeration to say that it is one of the key ingredients of youth and longevity, which we all crave. It brings innovation, functional and aesthetic development, it can improve the quality of life and extend its duration. At least with quality products, this is undoubtedly the case – come and see for yourself at this year’s Designblok!”, says festival director Jana Zielinski.
A special exhibition on the Romanesque floor of the Old Royal Palace will highlight Daniel Piršč, one of the most renowned Czech porcelain and ceramic designers. Curated by Radek Wohlmuth, the Whiteout exhibition will showcase iconic pieces from Piršč’s career, along with new creations made specifically for this event. Opening alongside the festival, the exhibition will run until October 13, 2024.
Meanwhile, the grand hall of the Prague Castle Riding Hall will host the High Craft exhibition, featuring over thirty top Czech designers and brands. Selected by festival director Jana Zielinski and creative director Jiří Mack, these artists and brands blend traditional craftsmanship with innovative, eco-friendly production methods while maintaining the highest aesthetic standards. On the upper level of the Riding Hall, the thematic High Craft Books exhibition will present work from leading Czech publishing houses, with a focus on high-quality graphic design in books and publications.
