Adaptation is not only a cultural form but also a commercial one, and this is not necessarily a negative thing. For example, when we interviewed the sales assistant in the Mucha Museum gift shop, she believed that the artist himself would have taken pleasure in seeing his pieces be converted into more accessible products. Therefore, instead of exploring the cultural history of Prague’s artists, we investigated the commercial side by going directly to the city’s tourist hubs. Not only did we find the stereotypical gift shop products, we also discovered alternative ways of enjoying the Czech Republic’s art forms.
Every bookshop in Prague seems proud of their national authors. As a tourist your attention is instantly drawn to these visitor-oriented shelves.
However, traces of Czech writers are not only found in usual places. In the Golden Tiger pub author Hrabal is present in every corner. Interestingly, the pub is still popular with locals and has avoided feeling like a tourist trap.
Another ode to a Czech artist is the turning head of Franz Kafka where people pass and either snap a quick picture or hurry past.
Next we visited the Mucha Museum’s Gift Shop where shopkeeper Marie offered some interesting insights in how she perceives the commercialization of Alphonse Mucha’s work. Unlike Kafka who did not want his writings published, Mucha’s creations were mainly based in advertisement. In addition, Marie believes Mucha would have encouraged the concept of a gift shop as the artist believed in the accessibility of art.
For those who are looking for a unusual souvenir by one of Prague’s artists can find some high-quality and beautifully designed goodies in Superlative Souvenir.
We also delved into Prague’s unique Black Light Theatre. Rising to population in the Prague post revolution, this visually aesthetic style uses UV light, a pitch black background and complete silence from the performers to tell a fascinating story.
Enormous costumes and actors flying in the air are some of the features you will come across the performance of ‘Aspects of Alice’.
“It is quite hard to meet the demands of average people, we approach the audience by the fact is not verbal, there is no speaking, so it is internationally acceptable” Josef Kadlcik, Public Relations
The Globe Bookshop and Cafe offers the largest English book collection in Prague. Many visitors explore both Czech and international artists’ works.
Mucha designed posters, postcards, advertisements, amongst many other different commercial products. In this picture, taken at the Gallery of Art Prague, are several of his original book cover designs depicting his unique style of art nouveau
