Born in 1934 in Prague, cult filmmaker, artist, and poet Jan Švankmajer presents objects, surreal artefacts reminiscent of collections on natural history and preserved animals, as well as drawings that on closer inspection swiftly turn out to be ‘absurd’ creatures.

Alongside finding inspiration from literature, Švankmajer also turns to nature and natural history for his subject matter.

His ongoing project on an ‘un-systematic anatomy’ is the culmination of this critical and ironic inquiry into nature and evolution.

Published on the occasion of the exhibition, The Universe of Jan Švankmajer at Kunstraum Dornbirn, 24 July – 6 September 2015.

English and German text.