František Tichý Exhibition of the Body

The exhibition presents a selection of drawings and graphics of František Tichý (1896-1961) from the collection from GAVU (Gallery of Fine Arts) in Cheb, the topic of which is the human body. A figure chosen mostly from circus environment, varieté or commedia delľarte was for Tichý a tool to express topics of existential meaning. In order to potentiate these meanings he used a specific way of rendering of individual figures, which might be identified as a kind of exhibicionism. In many cases, it is extended to include elements of erotics and sexuality or even pornography. Moreover, Tichý's figures show a close relationship to the so-called grotesque body which is to be seen in the medieval and renaissance popular carnevals. The grotesque body turns the world upside down and shows its bowels including the anal sphere to its ambient. There is a demonic expression in Tichý's act causing their ambiguous character. At the same time it disturbs the voyer role of the audience which is surely enjoying the pleasure.