VOID by Jan Kaláb to Become Part of the JITRO Project

VOID belongs to Kaláb's eponymous series of sculptural works, through which he has long explored the relationship between colour, form and space. Unlike a traditional sculpture, it is not intended to be viewed from a single vantage point. Instead, its appearance shifts continuously depending on where the viewer stands. Every step reveals new perspectives, alters the relationships between its individual layers and uncovers another dimension of the composition. The viewer thus becomes an active participant in the experience. What they see is never quite the same.

The title VOID refers to the empty space enclosed within the form. For the artist, this void is just as important as the physical material itself. Rather than existing solely as a sculptural object within its architectural setting, the work also engages with light, transparency and the air flowing between its layers. As a result, the sculpture takes on a constantly changing character, responding to its surroundings throughout the day and across the seasons.

"For many years, I have worked with colour and form within the two-dimensional space of painting. With the VOID series, I wanted to bring these principles into three-dimensional space. I was interested in what would happen if I deconstructed a painting into individual layers and allowed a real space to emerge between them. That space is often just as important to me as the object itself," explains Jan Kaláb.

Part of Everyday Life at JITRO

We do not see public space merely as a collection of buildings, streets and squares. We believe that truly high-quality urban environments are also shaped by experiences, encounters and inspiration. That is why VOID will be much more than a striking visual landmark within JITRO. It will become a meeting point, a place of orientation and a natural part of the everyday lives of future residents and visitors alike. Art in public space has the power to shape a place's identity and bring fresh perspectives into daily life. Jan Kaláb's work will be one of the defining elements that gives the JITRO project in Prague's Vršovice district its distinctive character.

A smaller version of VOID is currently on display at the PSN offices, where it serves as a daily reminder of the powerful dialogue that can emerge between architecture, public space and contemporary art.