September 2014 | Issue No. 21
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View of Manhattan from the Queensboro Bridge, one of the major crossings of the East River. Photo: Katerina Kyselica.
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Dear Friends of the BBLA, For the last couple of days, the city has been incredibly quiet and peaceful as it usually is around Labor Day, as most New Yorkers still have not yet returned from their summer holidays. The Bohemian National Hall has already undergone its annual cleanup and is getting ready for the new season in an almost magical way. That magic for me is the sound of music coming into my office from the adjacent room where musicians Camilla and George Mraz spent two afternoons practicing their virtuosity. I am very much looking forward to their concert on the 24th of September. I am also looking forward to our hosting of the second Asia Art Fair this month and thank you team, for helping with the organizers. Wishing you a successful start into September and hopefully seeing you soon at our future events. Joseph Balaz, President Bohemian Benevolent & Literary Association
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CHECK THIS OUT
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ROTTEROVA'S PRINTMAKING QUIETLY INTENSE
by Alena Laufrova
Romana Rotterova, Relationships I, 1968, intaglio
There are works of art that engage the viewer right away. You look, you see a tree and you think you got it. They might, however, lack mystery or an impulse that triggers your imagination. The Czech artist Romana Rotterova's unique prints with circles, curves and velvety lines offer you just that - a mysterious story of quietly intense perception.
It is fascinating to observe and study the development of an artist's expression, the way they mature and approach their work. Romana Rotterova recently celebrated her 80th birthday. Her prints are in the collections of such institutions as MoMA New York or the National Museum of Women in the Arts in WashingtonD.C., and have been showcased in more than 20 solo exhibitions and in international exhibitions in Belgium, Germany, Canada and the USA. A recent retrospective of her works, prints and drawings, only confirmed her position among the Czech leading printmakers, including Adriena Simotova, Alena Kucerova, and Nadezda Synecka.
A native of Prague, Rotterova (b.1931) originally studied sculpture, first with her father, sculptor Leonard Rotter, and later with Vienna-born Mary Duras and painter V. J. Zizka. As a child, she spent a great deal of time in her father's sculpture studio, hoping to follow in his footsteps. Her health, however, did not allow her to pursue these early dreams, and instead Rotterova began making prints. >> Continue reading...
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HERE IS WHAT'S COMING IN SEPTEMBER
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Friday, September 12,6:30 pm
Karel Hasler: The Immortal Balladeer of Prague
documentary film screening and sing-along
Directed by Czech filmmakers Josef Lustig and Marek Jicha, the film documents life and accomplishments of Karel Hasler, the beloved Czech singer, songwriter, actor, and cabaret artist in the early 20th century in Czechoslovakia. After the screening, we will sing in Czech some of the most popular songs written by Karel Hasler. Texts will be provided.
Suggested donation $5.
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Wednesday, September 24, 7:30 pm
George Mraz/Camilla Mraz Trio music performance with film
venue: Bohemian National Hall A screening of the film "Dance of the Blue Angels" by Czech director Steve Lichtag, with music performance by bassist George Mraz, pianist Camilla Mraz and drummer Anthony Pinciotti.
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call to artists of Czech and Slovak background
Celebrating Print Competition 2014 deadline: October 10
A call for submissions of fine art prints from artists worldwide of Czech or Slovak background. Juried prints will be on view at BBLA Gallery at Bohemian National Hall in New York City from December 8, 2014 - January 15, 2015. >> Learn more...
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WE RECOMMEND
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September 16 - 21
Asia Art Fair
Art fair focusing on art and artifacts from the regions of China, Japan, South East Asia, Oceania, India and the Near East, and coinciding with the Asian auctions at major auction houses in New York City.
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Bohemian Benevolent & Literary Association | 321 East 73rd Street, 3rd floor | New York, NY 10021 (212) 988-1733 | www.bohemianbenevolent.org | [email protected]
BBLA is a not-for-profit organization established in 1891 in New York City as an umbrella organization for almost eighty Czech and Slovak immigrant organizations. The mission of BBLA is to preserve and support Czech and Slovak culture in New York City. BBLA's member organizations include American Fund for Czech and Slovak Leadership Studies, Association of Free Czechoslovak Sportsmen, Czech and Slovak Solidarity Council, Czechoslovak Society of Arts and Sciences in America, Dvorak American Heritage Association and Sokol New York. BBLA is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization.
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