Milan Knížák, Czech Action Artist and Former National Gallery Director, Dies at 86
Milan Knížák, a pioneering Czech action artist and former director of the National Gallery in Prague, died on Sunday at age 86, announced Czech Culture Minister Oto Klempíř on X. Knížák was a key figure in the underground art scene during socialism, founding the rock group Aktual and participating in Fluxus happenings. After the 1989 Velvet Revolution, he became rector of the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague. From 1999 to 2011, he led the National Gallery in Prague, a tenure marked by controversy: critics called his leadership authoritarian and accused him of refusing international loans, fearing seizure due to state legal disputes. Born on April 19, 1940, in Pilsen, he grew up in Marienbad. His works were exhibited in Germany, France, the USA, and Japan. In 2010, President Václav Klaus awarded him the Czech Medal of Merit.
Key facts
- Milan Knížák died at age 86 on Sunday.
- Czech Culture Minister Oto Klempíř announced the death on X.
- Knížák was a Czech action artist and former director of the National Gallery in Prague.
- He founded the rock group Aktual and was active in the Fluxus movement.
- After 1989, he became rector of the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague.
- He led the National Gallery in Prague from 1999 to 2011.
- His tenure was controversial due to an authoritarian leadership style and refusal of international loans.
- He was born on April 19, 1940, in Pilsen and grew up in Marienbad.
- His works were exhibited in Germany, France, the USA, and Japan.
- President Václav Klaus awarded him the Czech Medal of Merit in 2010.
Entities
Artists
- Milan Knížák
Institutions
- National Gallery in Prague
- Academy of Fine Arts in Prague
- Aktual
Locations
- Prague
- Czech Republic
- Pilsen
- Marienbad
- Germany
- France
- USA
- Japan