Milena Dopitová: The Offside

Exhibition opening:  22. 6. 2021 at 11

Venue: Motol University Hospital
V Úvalu 84, Praha 5
(in front of metro station)
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The Offside 2021 installation responds to the situation we have been in for more than a year, to the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic emergency. We live differently, according to given restrictions, prohibitions and rules that are to protect our health. This state of affairs is like a nightmare, from which we cannot yet wake up back to active days and go out freely among people, to the theater, restaurant or without fear of visiting our acquaintances.

The project consists of several objects installed in a circle. Each of the objects is composed of two football goals turned facing each other so that a separate enclosed space is created between them.
The whole refers to the architecture of the place, the city, the territory and resembles a kind of wall, which cannot be entered or bypassed. It is uncertain whether this group has a defensive or offensive character, or is just waiting in standby mode to activate its original function and meaning.

In her work, Milena Dopitova deals with topics related to social identity. It deals with general phenomena that each of us encounters, but which are often socially taboo. Adolescence, aging, death, insecurity, cruelty or violence are presented with personal input, but at the same time it allows us to observe them embedded in broad social and societal relationships. Although the message concerns us all, the origins of the work have very personal to intimate roots. These are often very authentic experiences that she had, for example, in her own family.

Dopitova graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague in the studio of Milan Knížák (1986 – 1994), and her works were presented at exhibitions in the Czech Republic and abroad. We can mention, for example, the Gallery of the Capital City of Prague, the Moravian Gallery in Brno, the Brooklyn Museum (New York), the Academy of Arts (Berlin), the Display Gallery (Prague), The Whitechapel Art Gallery (London), Polansky Gallery (Prague), the Museum of Contemporary Art (Helsinki), Artists Space (New York), Aperto, XLV. Venice Biennial (Venice), and others. In addition to other awards, Dopitová received the Michal Ranný Award in 2011 for her work.

In cooperation with Motol University Hospital

The project is organised with financial support of Prague City Council.