Kozmické louky—Kozmické meadows
In collaboration with Michal Kindernay, we organize a yearly symposium dedicated to the river Opavice and the wetland Kozmické meadows*
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2024 Edition coming up in May with Peter Cusack, Lucie Páchová, Martin Režný and more
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2023 Edition
Kozmické meadows bird reserve and Vila Vilekula (artist-run space) in Háj ve SlezskuThe festival unfolded in the form of a long walk, where different activities, listening exercises, talks and concerts took place at different locations—picked by each contributor in relation to their work. It included a communal brunch and dinner by Vila Vilekula collective.
List of participating artists and scientists: Peter Cusack, Yvetta Ellerová, František Hruška, Michal Kindernay, Magdaléna Manderlová, Emil Morav, Carina Pesch, Martin Režný, Anna Vohrálíková, Martina Weber.
I facilitated a listening exercise (45 min) inspired by Pauline Oliveros. It took place at the very beginning of the day—to slow down, prepare and soften participants' ears and bodies for the coming experiences. I began with an introduction to Deep Listening and then guided the audience through several stretching and breathing exercises, vocal/sounding improvisation, improvisation on breath instruments, and silence meditation.
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2022 Edition
Pustá Polom, Albertovec, Kozmické meadows The festival included a common bus ride which took us to three different locations in the region—picked by each contributor in relation to their work.
List of participating artists and scientists: Vít Kašpar, Ivo Kupka, Martin Šenkypl, Ondřej Škrabal, Yvetta Ellerová, František Hruška and Martin Režný.
Credits We kindly thank for support to Bludný kámen, Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic, Magistrát města Opavy, Billedkunstneres Vederlagsfond, Trondheim kommune, Office for Contemporary Art Norway, Radio Art Zone, Geräuschkulisse, Deutsch-Tschechischer Zukunftsfonds and Vila Vilekula, received in 2021-23.
Images by Jiří Volejník, Aleš Honus
Initially part of the project Po proudu zvuku—In the Stream of Sound commissioned by Bludný kámen.
*Kozmické louky—Kozmické meadows are a system of floodplain meadows and a bird reserve located in the Opava region of the Czech Republic. The area was nearly destroyed by gravel mining and agriculture in the past, and has been in the process of landscape restoration since 2006 thanks to the local community's long-term commitment and dedicated work. Nowadays, it accommodates hundreds of species of birds, plants, amphibians, herds of Exmoor pony and Highland cattle, and an ornithological observation station.