Popis
This book is the first comprehensive monograph of the Czech Prague-based Qubus studio. It has been published to accompany the studio’s first retrospective exhibition at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague, marking the 25th anniversary of its founding. Qubus is a unique phenomenon in Czech design, combining the functions of an independent label, creative studio, showroom and gallery, as well as serving as a platform for specific ideas. Its unorthodox approach has fundamentally shaped the perception of design in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Qubus has aptly and originally captured the transformation of design since the revolution and has redefined the designer’s role in the contemporary cultural and social context.
The monograph documents the studio’s history, its interior design and exhibition work, and major projects. It looks at how Qubus has become an independent label with a strong visual identity, outlining the context and principles behind how it operates, and highlighting key moments and the importance of its relations with manufacturers. The book includes a catalogue of Qubus’s oeuvre that systematically maps its products to date, together with critical essays that present a broader perspective on Qubus’s position on the Czech and international scene. The illustrations are arranged chronologically, and the monograph ends with a series of photographs loosely inspired by the work of the Chinese conceptual artist Ai Weiwei. The book also presents in words and images Jan Fabián’s installation of the Qubus exhibition at the Museum of Decorative Arts. This monograph will help to fill significant gaps in earlier research and confirm Qubus’s pioneering status and its crucial influence on Czech design.