Jiří Kolář a koláže básníků
Jiří Kolář and Other Poets’ Collages

(from the Collections of the Museum of Czech Literature)

Summary/Abstract: The first part of this article is concerned with the special features of the collection of collages by the poet-artist Jiří Kolář (1914–2002) at the Museum of Czech Literature. These collages come from Kolář’s late period, when he returned to creative approaches he had discovered earlier. Though not large, the collection is surprising in its composition. It is based on what are called ‘engagés collages’ (angažované koláže), which contain exchangeable parts, making it possible to create variations. Kolář counted on the viewer’s being directly involved in the creative process and thus participating in the ultimate appearances of the collages. An analysis of the individual collages makes it clear that Kolář’s emphasis is on the formal aspect, which is fundamental to this collection. The second part of the article is devoted to the relationship between the works of Kolář and other poets whose works are in the Museum collections. The collage is among the techniques frequently used by certain writers. The analysis in this article reveals a close connection between their writing and work in the fine arts. Collage approaches are sometimes applied to poetry and, vice versa, collage is sometimes understood as a kind of poem or a visual equivalent of literary text. This feature appears in the collages of poets involved in the visual arts and of painters who write.

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