Czech Centre London Presents “Pixels and Poetics: Sudek, Funke, and New Technologies”
The Czech Centre London organised an exhibition linking historic photography with AI art.
February 27th, 2026
The exhibition Pixels and Poetics: Sudek, Funke, and the Influence of New Technologies on the Development of Photography was presented from 20 January to 13 March 2026 across the Vitrínka Gallery, Bouda Gallery, and public space outside the Czech Embassy in London. Organised by the Czech Centre London with the support of the PPF Foundation, the exhibition connected interwar analogue photography with the visual language of the contemporary digital era. Visitors were invited to trace the transformation of the photographic image over two centuries—from physical light impressions to synthetic visual environments shaped by artificial intelligence—underscoring the role of cultural diplomacy in fostering dialogue through shared artistic heritage.
The historical section featured iconic works by Josef Sudek and Jaromír Funke, demonstrating how light, composition, and atmosphere can transform reality into poetic or constructive visual forms. Complemented by photomontages, double exposures, and analogue manipulations, the display illustrated a longstanding tradition of experimenting with and reshaping photographic imagery. These works were drawn from the PPF Art Collection, highlighting institutional efforts to preserve and present Czech photographic heritage within an international context.
The contemporary section expanded this dialogue through artists working with generative and AI-based technologies. In Your Addiction Is the Message, Barbora Trnková examined visual dependency and the influence of digital systems on perception. Lenka Hámošová, through Troubling GAN and Strange Attractions, explored both the aesthetic potential and structural limitations of neural networks, revealing how algorithms can reproduce stereotypes or produce visual distortions. A collaborative project by Trnková and Javůrek, Generation of Princesses, critically reflected on digital reconstructions of pop-cultural ideals of femininity.
Situated within broader Czech–UK cultural engagement frameworks, the exhibition offered an accessible and visually compelling perspective on evolving understandings of imagery, perception, and technological mediation. By linking historical heritage with contemporary innovation, the initiative reinforced long-term cultural cooperation objectives, demonstrating how artistic exchange supports mutual understanding and strategic cultural diplomacy.
