IDENTITY – The Story of Czech Graphic Design Opens at Songshan Cultural and Creative Park!
State symbols, postage stamps, banknotes, and institution logos — not forgetting books, road signs, the Prague Metro map, product packaging, and film posters — are all part of the Czech national identity. Who created the iconic designs, and how were they created?
IDENTITY: The Story of Czech Graphic Design — an exhibition presenting a century of Czech graphic design masterpieces and blending design, history, and culture — is now on view at the Taiwan Design Museum, Songshan Cultural and Creative Park. This exhibition is curated by Filip Blažek and Linda Kudrnovská, in collaboration with Mowshe Studio; organized and produced by the Czech Centre Taipei, Industrial Development Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs, and Taiwan Design Research Institute; and co-organized by the Czech Economic and Cultural Office. Visitors will be able to encounter Czechia’s most iconic design pieces — original works and reproductions — and gain deeper insight into their creative origins, historical background, and cultural meaning.
Graphic Design as a Language of Collective Memory and the Spirit of the Times
Graphic design accompanies people throughout their lives, yet its stories often remain untold. Czech graphic design enjoys an esteemed reputation worldwide, with notable figures such as Art Nouveau artist Alfons Maria Mucha (1860–1939), avant-garde artist Karel Teige (1900–1951), and type and graphic designer Zdeněk Ziegler (1932–2023) — each deserving their own book.
For Czechia (and formerly Czechoslovakia), the history of graphic design has been inseparable from the nation’s political journey — from the fight for independence and the trials of two world wars to decades under totalitarian rule and, later, the transition from a socialist planned economy to a market economy. Design has not only reflected the social climate but has also served as a medium of cultural resistance in times of restricted freedom. Recognizing the need for a comprehensive and systematic exploration of this history, the IDENTITY project was launched in Czechia. This exhibition is the part of the multi-genre project Identity – the story of Czech graphic design, combining exhibitions, publications, documentaries, and a TV series, the project traces over 150 years of development since the late 19th century. In accompanying texts, visitors may learn about the broader cultural, historical and political context of the exhibited artefacts, i.e. how graphic design influences society and vice versa, how graphic design reveals and preserves collective memory and the spirit of each era.
A Medium for Creativity, Dialogue, and Defiance
Czech culture is defined not only by music, literature, and cinema — graphic design is equally vital to the nation’s identity. Martina Rubešková, Deputy Head of Office of the Czech Economic and Cultural Office Taipei, describes the history of Czech graphic design as a story of creative defiance: ''In times when freedom was suppressed, design became an outlet for creativity and a symbol of resistance.'' She hopes that this exhibition will show how design transcends language, building bridges of communication and understanding.
Markéta Lipold Záhumenská, Director of the Czech Centre Taipei, notes that design plays a vital role in fostering aesthetic literacy, woven into the fabric of everyday life from metro station signage to forest hiking trail markers. She describes the exhibition as ''a masterclass in style that transcends borders,'' offering a platform for cultural exchange and enabling visitors to explore Czech design in depth.
Curator Filip Blažek explains that the IDENTITY project brings together exhibitions, a TV series, a documentary, and publications to present how Czech graphic design has responded to social, political, and cultural challenges across different eras. ''We hope this is not merely a retrospective, but a cultural initiative that inspires more people to recognize the power of design.''
More Than an Exhibition — A Love Letter to Design
As part of the exhibition program, the documentary Identity: A Czech Graphic Design Love Story will be screened at 2:00 p.m on August 23, 2025 at the Creative Theatre, Songshan Cultural and Creative Park. Directed by Kateřina Mikulcová and Petr Smělík, the film won honors at the Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival and was screened at the Hong Kong European Union Film Festival.
The documentary follows Nicholas Lowry — a Czech-born New York auctioneer known for his signature plaid suits — as he travels across cities exploring the visual and cultural identity of Czechia while unexpectedly uncovering his own family history. Through his eyes, the audience embarks on a journey that intertwines design, history, and personal memory.
IDENTITY: The Story of Czech Graphic Design is now open at the Taiwan Design Museum. More than a tribute to Czech graphic design, the exhibition is a window to the world, fostering cultural resonance and dialogue. Visitors are invited to discover the diversity and richness of Czech design.
Whether you are a design professional or a casual visitor, come discover Czech design diversity and richness and — during the moments of connection — feel the power and value that design brings to our lives!
Exhibition Information
Exhibition Period｜August 19 (Tue) – October 12 (Sun), 2025
Opening Hours｜10:00–18:00 (Last ticket entry at 17:30)
Venue｜Taiwan Design Museum, Gallery 02
Admission｜NT$50 / NT$40 (for groups of 10 or more) / Free admission for eligible concession holders
Organizers｜Industrial Development Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Czech Centre Taipei
Co-organizer｜Czech Economic and Cultural Office
Executive Organizer｜Taiwan Design Research Institute
Curators｜Filip Blažek, Linda Kudrnovská
Official Links｜Taiwan Design Museum