Matej Hajek

Matěj Hájek graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague in 2010 (sculpture studio of Jaroslav Róna). He is one of the founding members of the Czech artistic and activist group Ztohoven. The activities of the group reach far beyond the local scope and it is therefore strongly established on the international arts scene.

Matěj’s work encompasses a wide range of means of expression, from classical sculpting techniques to landscape art, extending to architectural disciplines. He is also the co-author of several land-art projects that earned him the Czech Architecture Grand Prix in 2012.

2010: Academy of Fine Arts in Prague in sculpture

In 2013 he won open call competiton for design of new children playground in Prague ZOO. Project “Reservation Bororo” was realized in co-operation with Jakub Nepraš and Molo Architects studio.

In 2013 he co-worked with photographer Bet Orten on presentation of H&M company on Designblok 2013. Project “She and wolf” was nominated Editors Award for best presentation on Designblok 2013. Same project was nominated for Czech Grand Design Award 2013 in category company presentation.

In 2012 he organized and co-worked on project RE:Vodnany Zátiší. Project was awarded Grand Prix National Architecture Award 2013 in category Architectonic design. http://issuu.com/makedetail/docs/zatisi

2011 co-founded with Andrea Průchová Fresh Eye project. Lecture series on visual culture. http://fresh-eye.cz/

In 2010 he co-worked with “Drexler Vrbata Architects” on reconstruction and redesign of old factory to “Trafo Studios” now used by youngest generation of czech artist.

In 2010 he co-founded Protisedi.cz (Against Grey), a web that monitors cultural events which he initiated as Art Director. http://www.protisedi.cz/

In 2003 Hajek co-founded a group of artists-activists Ztohoven, where he is active till today. In 2007 Group was awarded NG 333 National Gallery Award for project Media reality. http://www.ztohoven.com/

2015 Temporary Contemporary - Group exhibition, cooperation with Bet Orten, Lobkowicz Palace, Prague

2015 Masa - Group exhibition, sculptural instalation To the east (1,2), Chemistry gallery, Prague

2015 Roxy Visuals vol. IV. - Group exhibition, sculptural instalation Maginot line (1,2,3), Roxy club, Prague

2015 Art Prague - Art fair, sculptural instalation Herd of sperm whales (Robots), Kafkův dům, Prague

2014 '89 Conference. Civil Courage. Revolution. Democracy. Europe. - Ztohoven: Masterclass Art & Activism lecture, De Balie, Amsterdam (NL)

2014 H20 - duo exhibition with photographer Bet Orten in Khapka studio, Prague

2014 Rezervace Bororo (Reservation Bororo) - With Jakub Nepraš - complete realization of exceptional children playground in Prague Zoo garden, Prague

2014 Temple of Freedom - Group exhibition of Trafačka collective, Red Galery, London (UK)

2013 7th Anniversary of Trafacka - Group exhibition, Trafacka, Prague

2013 Ona a Vlk (She and wolf) - Cooperation with Bet Orten - Installation for H&M, Designblok 2013, Prague

2013 Voda je věda (Water is science) - Organization and realization of sculpture park, realization of Beluga and Biomonitoring, made for The Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters of the University of South Bohemia, Vodňany (CZ)

2013 Popis (Description) - Solo exhibiton, Bistro 19, Prague

2013 The politics of the social in contemporary art - Presentation of work of Ztohoven group on international conference in Tate Modern Starr Auditorium, London (UK)

2012 RE:Vodňany 2012 v Zátiší – Organization of workshop on revitalization of forest park in Vodnany (South Bohemia) realization of landart installation Archa, Vodňany (CZ)

2012 Morální reforma 1. a 2. kolo (Moral Reform 1st & 2nd round), 1st round Art activist group Ztohoven event, Prague 2nd round Art activist group Ztohoven event, Prague, DOX

2012 Kolaboratorio Vol.2 - Group exhibition - multimedia installation Lorelei - Cooperation with Bet Orten, Prague

2012 A Znova (Once Again) – Group exhibitions, Trafo Gallery, Prague

2011 Pátý přes devátý – Group exhibition, Trafo Arena , Prague

2011 Sochařská škola Jaroslava Róny – Group exhibition of sculptors, Malostranska Beseda Gallery, Prague

2011 Omo Jako Amo – Group exhibition of painters, Gallery Klubovna Druhé patro, Prague

2011 Non multi sed multa - Art activist group Ztohoven event, Prague

2011 International Sculpture Symposium - realization of Charybdis, Mugla (TR)

2010 Papírové hlavy (Paper Heads) – Group exhibition, installation Bench on the waterfront (composition for poet Milan Koch) Trafo Gallery, Prague

2010 Bravur Masochist –(A)Void Gallery, Group exhibition of sculptors, Prague

2010 63rd Saloon Polička – Group exhibiton, Polička (CZ)

2010 Občan K (Citizen K.) - Art activist group Ztohoven event, Prague

2010 Diplomanti 2010 - Exhibition of graduates of Academy of Fine Arts, installation of the file Fight of matter, Gallery of Modern Art, Veletržní palác, Prague

2009 Pommmrd - Group exhibition - site specific installation, Trafo Gallery (Trafačka), Prague

2007 Mediálni realita (Media Reality) - Art activist group Ztohoven event, hack of Czech Television live broadcasting

2006 The Six in Prague – Group exhibiton, selected work of czech art and photographic schools, Gallery of photography, Prague

2005 Projekt Čistička (Severage Plant Project ) - Organization of Cultural event, realization of site specific multimedia installation Organisms

2003 Znásilněný podvědomí (Raped Consciousness) - Art activist group Ztohoven event, Prague

2003 Extreme Passions - International Group exhibiton, video instalation, Stockholm Kulture Huset, Stockolm (SE)

2003 Otazník nad Hradem (Question mark under the Prague Castle) Art activist group Ztohoven event, Prague

2002 Výstava několika mladých - Group exhibiton of young painters (with Jakub Matuška, Hynek Štětka), Gallery Velryba, Prague