Open Call for the Creation of a Work of Art

June 8, 2026 Announcement of the competition winner, publication of the entries, and the jury’s decision

The winner of the competition was the project Turntable by artist Tomáš Džadoň.

Second place went to the project Industria by Matěj Smetana; third place was awarded to artists Tereza Kalousová, Marie Štindlová, and Erika Velická; the jury awarded fourth place to the project Entrance line by artists Lenka Kerdová, Eliška Perglerová, and Iveta Šalamounová; and fifth place went to Jiří Černický for his project Arrow Birds.

Publication of competition entries – link to the NSU disk

The jury met on May 27 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Mladá Boleslav City Hall and, following in-person presentations by all contestants and a subsequent discussion, determined the ranking of the entries. The voting members of the jury were: Vanda Skálová – independent, jury chair; Tomáš Vaněk – independent; Petr Krátký – independent, standing in for the absent Rostislav Koryčánek; Petra Böhmová – affiliated (SŽ); Ladislav Kučera – affiliated (ŠAEF). The following participated in the discussion as non-voting members: Rostislav Koryčánek – independent, participating online; Martina Kulíková – affiliated, alternate (ŠANF). Jiří Pavlíček, an architect and the designer of the new station building, participated in the discussion as an invited expert.

The jury’s verdict on all submitted proposals:

Turntable – design by Tomáš Džadoň – 1st place

The designer introduces an 8.5-meter-wide circular turntable into the piazzetta in front of the new station building; through its slow and irregular rotation, it sets in motion a section of the piazzetta featuring a bench, a lamp, and station visitors. The turntable’s mechanical mechanism interacts with the dynamics and pauses of passengers in both the transit and rest areas of the station and, in a figurative sense, creates an irregularly and continuously shifting social, spatial, and visual situation. The core element of the project is an industrial turntable, which is used in manufacturing and warehouse facilities; at the same time, it reminds the general public of the maneuvering of steam locomotives in historic railway depots or – especially when illuminated at night – a theater turntable. Its use explores the shifting position of the passenger/observer within the context of station architecture – the passenger who remains on the turntable while taking in new perspectives becomes the object of observation for those who have stayed on the rest of the platform. The work offers a humorous exaggeration and a subtle shift in the experience of what is otherwise a traditionally functional and utilitarian station environment.

The judges agreed that, even given its extraordinary technical complexity, Tomáš Džadoň’s design best met the competition’s requirements: the work’s poetic quality, understated nature, and the context of its technical solution vividly – yet seemingly invisibly – embody the process of seeking new perspectives and the challenge of stepping outside predefined patterns.

Industria – Design by Matěj Smetana – 2nd Place

Matěj Smetana’s work, Industria, draws on industrial tradition, the history of the site, and its gradual transformation. In a timeless manner, it brings to life the seemingly simple laws of motion and mechanics. The artist designed a double-sided glass display case for the piazzetta, located in a spot visible both from the train platform and from the street. The mechanical drawing housed within it – interconnected squares that, in sequential time intervals, create the illusion of moving cubes – is intended to be controlled by four clock mechanisms that move it analogously to clock hands according to the current time. Through its slow movement and changing configuration, the work captures the viewer’s attention; it explores the phenomenon of waiting – inextricably linked to travel by public transportation – while simultaneously resembling an advertising display case, whose expected contents are subversively replaced by an object intended not to promote consumerism but rather to invite contemplation or meditation. Although the work can be understood as a mechanical clock or timepiece – which has long been associated with station furnishings – it also serves here as a specific prism through which to view the surrounding industrial landscape and observe the horizon as time slowly passes.

Design by Marie Štindlová, Tereza Kalousová, and Erika Velická – 3rd place

Their work reflects their attention to and deep sensitivity toward natural materials, as well as the deeper connections and traditions of production and craftsmanship in their immediate surroundings. The designers chose a composition of several elements placed on the piazzetta in such a way that they create an almost intimate interior-like atmosphere. They relied on delicacy and subtlety as the fundamental strengths of the whole, which, through its hidden narrative and multi-layered possibilities for interpretation, has the potential to spark the imagination and inspire daydreaming, slow down movement within the station, and gently appeal to the attention of hurried passengers. The jury praised the thoughtful use of materials: the use of ceramic clay as a reference to the application of this material in automotive design, as well as the use of glass, which is associated with the nearby Podkrkonoší region. The drinking fountain and the water symbolically disappearing into the pavement are not only a welcome refreshment for passengers but can also convey an ecological message about caring for the water that is disappearing from the landscape.

Entrance line – design by Eliška Perglerová, Lenka Kerdová, and Iveta Šalamounová – 4th place

In their design, the authors draw on their intimate knowledge of local conditions; their work explores the role of the Škoda automobile factory in the city – on various levels of meaning. Their design consists of two parts, both of which are closely linked to automobile production and the locally specific terminology associated with it – the gate, as the entrance to the plant, but also, in a figurative sense, the gateway to the city, which here is the train station; and the line – a production unit within the factory and, at the same time, a line that passengers can trace and help create on a rotating sculpture made of painted car body parts using the kinetic arm of a pencil/gate. The jury appreciated the participatory nature of the work; however, concerns have been raised regarding the unresolved technical aspects of the design and the issue of the durability of the destroyed object, as well as its security or replacement. The close connection to the city’s tradition of automobile manufacturing is understandable, but the jury views its execution as somewhat simplistic.

 Arrow Birds – Design by Jiří Černický – 5th Place

Jiří Černický’s installation Arrow Birds, like the previous work, draws on the automaker’s historical tradition. His work was inspired by the Škoda logo – the famous winged arrow – which has represented the company since 1923 as a symbol of speed, progress, and precision manufacturing. The artist chose a “naturalized” or realistic interpretation of the theme in the form of a real bird, which (in several dynamic variations) would inhabit both the exterior and interior of the new station, thereby adding an atmosphere of uniqueness, mystery, and suspense. The station building thus functions as a sort of cliff onto which the birds flock. Significant is the effort to emphasize the city’s distinctiveness and identity, which is intertwined with the existence of Škoda Auto. As with the previous proposal, the jury agreed that while the strong connection to the city’s and the automaker’s identity is understandable, the designer responded to the competition’s call with a work of a rather traditional character. The jury also discussed whether the naturalistic interpretation of the winged arrow motif opens up other possible layers of meaning – besides dynamism and movement, perhaps a certain tension or sense of threat.

We congratulate the winner and thank all participants and competition partners.

March 26, 2026 Announcement of the Five Finalists

On March 18, 2026, the expert jury selected five finalists from among the 107 applicants and teams who submitted entries; these finalists are invited to prepare a competition proposal. We thank all applicants.

Jury Statement:

Given the large number of portfolios received, the jury viewed the unexpectedly high level of interest from applicants—a total of 107 individuals or teams—in a positive light. The wide age range of the applicants and the spectrum of their formal approaches—including painting and sculpture, experimental and conceptual approaches, design, and purely architectural approaches—offered the opportunity to reflect this diversity in the final selection of the five highest-ranked candidates, who will prepare competition proposals, while maintaining a high standard of quality. In addition to individual artists, creative collectives also applied, representing interesting collaborations between male and female artists as well as community platforms that add further depth to the distinctive artistic individualities. The jury also evaluated and recognized the portfolios of international applicants.

At the beginning of the decision-making process, the jury jointly formulated specific criteria that it considers important in selecting the finalists. These include, above all, the ability to work within the public space and its context, and to respond to the significance of the site. The site is located in the suburbs and is expected to become part of a broader suburban zone in the future. The planned work could thus help increase the area’s appeal for local residents, visitors, and passersby alike.

The jury used a prioritization system for the selection process; each jury member first selected ten portfolios to shortlist. Based on a joint discussion and a second round of selection, the jury narrowed the group of semifinalists down to a final five. There was an intensive discussion about all the preferred candidates; arguments were presented, and the submitted materials were evaluated in detail.

Regarding the selected five, the jury highlighted the following qualities:

Jiří Černický represents an experienced and renowned artistic figure in this selection. His intermedia works are characterized by a distinctive artistic poetics featuring elements of utopianism and visionary thinking; through a close interconnection of the personal and the global, they address current societal, social, and environmental issues. Satirical overtones and hyperbole are typical of his work; at the same time, he engages the viewer and encourages public participation.

Tomáš Džadoň is an artist with extensive experience and a track record of projects in public spaces. His works prompt grotesque and critical reflections on the themes of tradition, the present, and everyday life in today’s world. His work includes reflections on the social nature of objects, an interest in the broader context of the installation site, and communication strategies aimed at the public.

Tereza Kalousová, Marie Štindlová, and Erika Velická – a trio of distinctive young artists, each of whom expresses herself through a different medium. They are united by an interest in the language of symbols and their interpretation in the contemporary world, in the politics of emotions, and in architectural space as a platform for artistic and social sharing. Taking into account the quality of their individual projects and their collaboration to date, the committee discussed the possibility of working on both a joint project and the synergy of their individual artistic approaches.

Lenka Kerdová, Eliška Perglerová, and Iveta Šalamounová are a trio of artists whose work spans object-based art, design, and architecture. The committee evaluated their work to date positively, including their experience creating in public spaces, specifically in relation to Mladá Boleslav. Their collaboration creates a participatory artistic quality that is always tied to specific places and situations, thus presenting interesting potential for communication with the public.

Matěj Smetana –  In his conceptual and intermedia work has long explored how images and media influence and shape our perception of reality. He conveys the results of his focused observations with a touch of humor and critical insight, using simple and accessible means. He often works with the principles of animation as a technique for bringing static elements to life and with the theme of error as a vehicle for shifts in meaning.

The jury agreed that the final selection represents a diverse spectrum of candidates—differentiated by generation, genre, and artistic approach—while ensuring that all selected entries demonstrate high-quality solutions with the potential for realization.

In conclusion, the jury noted that the materials submitted for the first round of the competition were of a high standard. It thanked the Škoda Auto Endowment Fund for providing the meeting space, as well as everyone who participated in the preparatory work and all those who attended the meetings.

February 9, 2026 Competition Announcement

The Foundation for Contemporary Art serves as the expert guarantor for the competition to create a new work of art for the public space at the Mladá Boleslav train station. The competition is organized and funded by the Škoda Auto Endowment Fund, with Správa železnic – the owner of the building and adjacent land – serving as a partner. Jiří Bouška, Mayor of the Statutory City of Mladá Boleslav, has granted his patronage to the project. The competition is administered by the Center for Central European Architecture (CCEA MOBA).

The competition is open to artists or teams that include artists. Previous experience creating works for public spaces is not required. Artists will have the opportunity to design and create a work that will enrich the public space near the newly constructed main train station building in Mladá Boleslav. The client’s goal is to bring contemporary art to the station area – that introduces new themes and responds to the city’s genius loci.

The competition consists of two parts. The first is an open call for the submission of portfolios presenting three previous projects by March 13. In the second part, the jury will select five participants from among the submitted portfolios and invite them to develop a proposal. The deadline for submitting competition proposals is May 25. The winner will carry out the commission with a budget of up to 3,000,000 CZK; prizes ranging from 55,000 to 45,000 CZK will be awarded for 2nd through 5th place.

Evaluation Criteria

• Quality of the artistic and conceptual design—originality and power of artistic expression, conceptual sophistication, and contextual sensitivity to the site.
• Technical Quality and Sustainability of the Design – feasibility of the proposal, technical quality of execution, long-term durability and sustainability of the materials used, and alignment with the budget and requirements for implementation and maintenance over time.

Jury

The jury is composed of independent experts nominated by the Foundation for Contemporary Art, which participates in drafting the terms and conditions, the competition brief, and the subsequent supervision of the project’s implementation. The dependent portion of the jury consists of representatives of the commissioning party and the Railway Administration.

Members of the independent section of the jury:

Mgr. Vanda Skálová – jury chair, art historian, exhibition curator at GASK in Kutná Hora

Mgr. Rostislav Koryčánek, art historian, exhibition curator, Institute of Architectural Theory, Faculty of Architecture, Brno University of Technology

Prof. MgA. Tomáš Vaněk, conceptual artist, head of the Intermedia III studio at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague (AVU), rector of AVU from 2014 to 2022, member of the expert council of the Foundation for Contemporary Art

MgA. Petr Krátký – alternate member of the independent section of the jury, visual artist, curator of exhibitions and collections at the Klatovy/Klenová Gallery

Members of the affiliated jury:

Ing. arch. Petra Böhmová, architect; has worked at the Railway Administration since 2020

Ing. Ladislav Kučera – vice-chair of the jury, director of the Škoda Auto Endowment Fund

Mgr. Martina Kulíková – alternate member of the affiliated jury, project manager at the Škoda Auto Endowment Fund

The competition results will be announced in June 2026; the estimated completion date for the project is April 2027.

The complete competition rules can be found on the website of the competition administrator, CCEA MOBA, under the “RULES AND APPLICATION” tab.