6 Leaders of the New Cool

Name: Alžběta Jungrová
Age: 35
Nationality: Czech

Tell us what you do
I am a photographer. Shooting documentary photographs, portraits and commercials.

Who or what inspires you?
Anyone who is doing anything 100% and everything that makes me feel something.

What are you working on right now?
I just started a photo documentary about Prague Burlesque cabaret, and have just opened small exhibition of my collages (an absolutely new thing for me). I’m preparing a series of foreign trips for next year and finishing a campaign for ČSOB….and lots of other stuff!

What’s your biggest artistic achievement, or what are you most proud of so far?
Probably that Saatchi in London submitted my collage to a contest of young artists this spring.

Where can we see your work?
alzbetajungrova.cz
http://instagram.com/alzbetajungrova
www.facebook.com/alzbetajungrova
Cafe Periferie in Branik – “City” exhibition

Klára Vytisková, center; Photo: Kubo Krizo

Name: Klára ‘KLARA.’ Vytisková
Age: 28
Nationality: Czech

Tell us what you do.
I’m a singer/songwriter

Who or what inspires you?
People on the subway, pictures, my morning green teas, books, breakfasts with my husband, afternoon coffees, walking, dancing, talking with my friends… basically, life. 

What are you working on right now?
At the moment, I’m shooting the video for my second single called ‘Survival’. My new solo project KLARA. is in the making so I’m composing and rehearsing with my brand new girl band. These girls will play with me on my KLARA. tour. I’m super excited! 

What’s your biggest artistic achievement, or what are you most proud of so far?
There’s no one event or one highlight I’m proud of, it’s just everything that I’ve learned while touring everywhere with the band, that was one big lesson and I’ve learned more than  I did at school!

Where can we see your work?
Youtube, soundcloud, or the best way – live in concert! Follow me on Facebook for all my news.

Alice’s YouTube channel Delicate Check

Name: Alice
Age: 25
Nationality: Czech

Tell us what you do.
I’m working on several different projects. Firstly a fashion corner called Delicate Check on the youtube channel YDNKNW.tv where interesting people talk about fashion and their relationship to it. I also write for the urban server BNGR.cz in the fashion section. Among other things I sometimes do styling for photo or video shoots and I’m blogging at the same time

Who or what inspires you?
People and things around me. But because I work with Internet media I mostly find inspiration there. It can be on my favourite web sites but even Facebook or social networks like Instagram. Sometimes I am inspired by some critics or from my memories.

What are you working on right now?
Right now I’m packing all my stuff, because I’m moving! Work-wise, I’m preparing to style an upcoming photoshoot.

What’s your biggest artistic achievement, or what are you most proud of so far?
I found a way to doing what I enjoy. But I still have a lot of work ahead.

Where can we see your work?
My Facebook fanpage Delicate PUNX and then on youtube channel YDNKNW.tv, www.BNGR.cz or my blog delicatepunx.blogspot.com

Canadian artist Jessica Serran

Name: Jessica Serran
Age: 36
Nationality: Canadian 

Tell us what you do.
I’m an artist, guide and a psycho-cartographer. I make images (drawings and paintings) that externalize and make visible, internal experience.

Who or what inspires you?
I’m always deeply inspired when someone makes visible some fragment of the human condition that I’ve experienced on some unconscious level, but have yet to properly name or touch within myself. Inspiration for me is about taking whatever is true in a given moment and turning it into something else, finding a way to step outside of whatever is happening and giving it space to transform and evolve. 

What are you working on right now? 
I’m creating an event that combines my paintings, love of space and architecture, newfound considerations of fashion, with my desire to give voice to the dark feminine and create spaces for people to touch the places within that they’ve been afraid to, or haven’t yet been able to touch. A space that fleshes out and invites in states of being and becoming.

What’s your biggest achievement, or what are you most proud of so far?
Just this spring I published a project and a series of paintings called Field Guide to the Czech Psyche. www.jessicaserran.com/field-guide-cz/ I’m particularly proud of having been able to accomplish this in a place where just a few years ago I knew no one and relatively little about this country.

Where can we see your work?
www.jessicaserran.com

‘Sime’ Ondruchová’s Queens.cz brings streetwear to ČR

Name: Lenka ‘Sime’ Ondruchová
Age: 34
Nationality: Czech

Tell us what you do?
I’ m a mum… and I also sell some nice sneakers and streetwear clothing in my shops in Prague, Ostrava, Brno and via our eshop www.queens.cz 

Who or what inspires you?
My family, friends, their kids… And whenever I’m travelling, I keep my eyes wide open.

What are you working on right now?
We are preparing a celebration for our 10 year anniversary at Queens. A bit of party, a bit of art and a bit of charity!

What’s your biggest achievement, or what are you most proud of so far?
In my personal life it’s my son. On the business side, I’m very proud when I meet someone who is happy and excited about what we bring to the Czech market, a satisfied customer is always the best reward.  If she/he is wearing nice kicks (trainers), even better!

Where can we see your work?
www.queens.cz, facebook.com/queens.cz and me personally at http://instagram/sime009 

Name: Cristina Maldonado
Age: 39
Nationality: Mexican

Tell us what you do.
I create cutting-edge performances.

Who or what inspires you?
What drives me to do this is the need to preserve mystery and awe through simple, not pretentious encounters; and the need to confirm that we can relate to others, to the world and to ourselves in ways with no precedent, that break the established protocols and standard behaviours in communication.

What are you working on right now?
A personalised art service called ‘The Stranger Gets a Gift’ – visual environments to be experienced by one person at a time, and also a solo work where I decompose the visual narrative of movies called ‘What She Does’. 

What’s your biggest artistic achievement, or what are you most proud of so far?
Both projects mentioned above.

Where can we see your work?
Next year in Prague, you can find more info in www.thestrangeroffice.org and in www.whatcristinadoes.wordpress.com

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Tell us who inspires you.

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