The exhibition project explores the theme of family as a dynamically evolving medium of human relationships. It focuses on how this subject is reflected in contemporary artistic practice—how individual artists approach the idea of family, whether through personal experience, individual perspective, or broader reflections on human coexistence. The exhibition aims to serve as an open platform for a dialogue of diverse artistic perspectives on this theme. It does not depict an idealized vision of partnership or intergenerational bonds; rather, it is an intimate inquiry that seeks to expose key questions about the identity, meaning, and shifting boundaries of family as a social and political construct rooted in personal histories.

Today, more than ever before, we are aware of the essential role that family plays in our lives. During the global health crisis, the family unit has become a focal point of our thoughts and reflections. We live in a time when we reconsider the nature of our own families, their specific configurations, and how we relate to them as individuals. As we spend more time in our homes—surrounded by those who matter most—we feel this presence more deeply. The bonds built through family histories, no matter how broadly defined, endure and often form a mental space to which we return. Whether this space is full or seemingly empty, we remain connected to it—despite all the missteps and turning points that may be part of it.

This exhibition tells stories of family and partnership experiences through the perspectives of individual artists, offering viewers space to reflect on their own relational worlds. Despite the many shifts in the form and structure of the concept of family, we continue to associate it with values such as trust, honesty, experience, truth, and community. What we consider crucial is that the family—regardless of whether it follows traditional or nontraditional models—should provide a space for emotional depth and for the formation of core social habits. From the standpoint of social anthropology, the family is considered a primary group—the first collective into which a person is born. This group is made up of people engaged in long-term communication and interaction. It is within this context that we develop relationships and social behaviors, influenced by our personal understanding of what “family” means.

The exhibition presents artists who have previously engaged with questions of family, partnership, and interpersonal relationships and who continue to revisit these themes in their work: Anna Daučíková, Lenka Klodová, the group Mothers and Fathers (Matky a Otcové), and Sylva Francová. Some examine the essence of these relationships (Markéta Oplištilová), portray their own family members (Dany Vigil), or reflect on newly emerged personal situations (Miroslav Hašek). For some of the participating artists, the exhibition served as a catalyst for new work—either by rethinking earlier projects, establishing new connections with past pieces, or by sharing aspects of their personal stories through artistic processes.

The exhibition metaphorically evokes the many questions we commonly ask about family. And yet, in order to truly understand one another, we must first try to answer the most fundamental question: What are we talking about when we talk about family?