CGD

The O+M studio has shown that in the case of the historical interiors of the Český Krumlov Castle, less is not always more. The young creative duo of Monika Matějková and Ondřej Čech took on the historical spaces and developed a passionate showcase of various epochs and styles.

The previous exhibition projects of O+M studio showed the immense sensitivity, courage and originality of their original works that straddle the boundary between architecture and design. Monika and Ondřej enjoy exploring new colors, unusual materials and their exhibitions create unique spatial constellations. They did all this and more in the exhibition design for the Palace of Illustration that opened in mid-2025 in the historical spaces of the Český Krumlov Castle complex.

Their approach to the museum exhibitions, presenting a unique collection of mostly children’s illustrations, is exceptional and creates a unique type of tension. The colors and materials used in tandem with new furnishings bring a sense for contemporary design into the Baroque interiors without pretense and with artistic humility. Their intervention in the space was never about exacerbating contrast through cheap effects, but rather about offering a confident and original vision.

The exhibition’s core consists of their original modular system developed for the Palace of Illustration. Rather than presenting utilitarian exhibition panels, the system works with the space in a sculptural way. Thanks to well-conceived details and quality rendition, the exhibition fits well with the surrounding historical frescoes and ornamentation. The exhibition panels are not about providing a neutral background for the exhibited works, but rather function as an integral component of the space as a whole. The Palace of Illustration project thus shows that we needn’t resign on contemporary interventions in even the most historical of spaces. In the “museum town” of Český Krumlov, this provides a welcome impulse.

Matěj Beránek