See Czech Grand Design finalists at a new exhibit in Prague

The Czech Grand Design Awards aim to put a spotlight on – and reward – the country's most talented creatives. And if you're a lover of art and design, you may want to take a look.

This year a total of 80 contenders are vying to win a prestigious award in one of the eight categories of the awards. Nominees are selected by the Design Academy of the Czech Republic and showcase a cross-section of the most successful Czech design over the past year. 

The finalists will be on display as well at a free exhibit opening next week at Česká Spořitelna Gallery in Prague's Old Town.

"This year's Czech Grand Design Awards reflect the spirit of Czech manufacturers who, after the pandemic hiatus, introduced new, full-fledged collections," said Jana Zielinski, director of Designblok, adding that the "level of nominated creators is so high this year, it reflects societal changes as well as the will to focus on the future and progress."

Among the creators is a dynamic mix of designers across many disciplines and mediums, ranging from graphic design and photography to glass, textiles, and plastics.

"Companies such as Polstrin, Johann Malle, Brokis, Lasvit, Devoto, and Ton are presenting world-class novelties that resulted from cooperation with Czech or foreign designers," said Zielinski.

As part of the Czech Grand Design Awards 2022, winners will be announced in the categories of product design, fashion, jewelry, graphic design, photography, illustration, manufacturer, and discovery of the year. An absolute winner, Grand Designer of the Year, is chosen across all categories. 

The nominations will be narrowed down to three finalists in each category on Feb. 23 at the Museum of Applied Arts in Brno. This will also mark the opening of an exhibition belonging to last year's overall winners, duo Vrtiška & Žák. The victors will be announced in Prague on March 21, 2023.

Nominees for the Designer of the Year category for 2022 include Jiří Pelcl, who is nominated for his cactus hanger and stackable chair collection; Lucie Koldová for the Orbis, Overlay, and Prisma lighting collection and Přemysl Kokeš, David Rosinai, and Zuzana Ambrožová for their artful fire extinguishers. For a full list of nominees see the Czech Grand Design site.