Inspiration by Blueprints. This is the name of the new exhibition that we are preparing for you at the museum in Vsetín Castle. Visitors will learn not only about the technique of this ancient textile printing method but also about its influence on visual arts in our region. The exhibition will run from September 10, 2024, to March 2, 2025, and will include several accompanying programs (see below). The opening will take place on Sunday, September 8, at 3:00 p.m. in the Castle’s Marble Hall, with musical accompaniment by Cimbalom Band Kaňúr.
BLUEPRINT
The technique of blueprinting spread from Asia to Europe at the end of the 17th century. It involves applying a resist paste known as "pap" or "pop" to the fabric, which protects the design from being dyed. After drying, the fabric is dipped in an indigo bath, which gives the blueprint its characteristic colour. The dyed fabric is washed in a sulfuric acid solution, which brings out the printed pattern. After drying, the fabric is pressed and folded. In 2018, blueprinting was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
ABOUT THE EXHIBITION
Inspiration by blueprinting in visual arts associated with the Wallachia region is evidenced by specific artworks from the late 1950s to the present. These creations are the work of both professional and amateur artists, as well as students from art-oriented schools (Art School Vsetín, Secondary School of Glassmaking and Applied Arts in Valašské Meziříčí). They realized their creative intent through various artistic techniques – drawing (A. Baránek), graphics (K. Langer, J. Blümlová), painting (K. Pavlíková, M. Vašek), performance (L. Cábová), blueprinting, or other textile techniques. For artists (not only from Wallachia), the blueprint is inspiring due to its typical strong contrasting colours, impressive negative – characteristic white – motifs on a dark blue background, traditional techniques applied in so-called blue painting (in the paintings of A. Dostálková and E. Horáková from the Moravian Slovakia region), or blueprint fabrics incorporated into artistic creation (quilts by V. Skočková).
Dye workshops were abundant in Wallachia, with the craft being most often passed down within families. The dyeing process was lengthy, and the work was labour-intensive and dirty. The last dyer in Vsetín was Josef Michna. A diorama of a dye workshop commemorates his work, supplemented with an outline of the production process, a display of collection items, especially traditional aprons (fěrtúšky), and dyeing moulds. The culmination of the whole process, and at the same time, endless inspiration by blueprinting, are the creations of regional artisans (Vizovice pastries, corn husk dolls, textile dolls), original artistic textile creations, and the current production of the last two blueprint workshops in the Czech Republic. Dyeing most significantly influenced textiles in folk environments. Since the 19th century, blueprinting has been an integral part of Wallachian clothing. It has become a symbol of women’s aprons, typically characterized by a so-called border, an edge decoration printed using moulds called "okolnice." Two-colour printing was popular, most often light blue, and double-sided printing of skirts, with one side used for everyday wear and the other for festive occasions.
ACCOMPANYING PROGRAMS
Blue Painting – On Saturday, September 21, 2024, another course of the popular blue painting will take place, during which a professional instructor will introduce you to the basics of this technique, and with her help, you will create your unique blueprint piece. The course capacity is limited, and those interested can register now at the email address semorova@muzeumvalassko.cz or at the phone number +420 774 218 183.
Castle Advent Magic – As part of the traditional Christmas event of the Museum of the Wallachia Region, which will take place on Sunday, December 8, 2024, we are preparing demonstrations of various variations of work with blueprinting, workshops for children, sales of original products inspired by blueprinting, and much more from the "blue and white world."
ADMISSION
Exhibition only: Full price 90 CZK, reduced 70 CZK (students, seniors), and 50 CZK (children 6–15 years, disabled visitors), family 200 CZK (1 or 2 adults and up to 3 children including students), children under 6 years free.
Entire museum (including the view from the castle tower): Full price 130 CZK, reduced 80 CZK (students, seniors), and 70 CZK (children 6–15 years, disabled visitors), family 230 CZK (1 or 2 adults and up to 3 children including students), children under 6 years free. More information HERE.
