Culture has become one of the most frequently discussed topics in recent times. It is receiving exceptional attention not only in terms of urgent support, importance, significance, or representation, but also due to concerns about a decline in public interest. Although culture in Slovakia neither belongs nor has ever belonged among the state’s preferred areas (despite previous authoritarian regimes attempting to appropriate it), it is currently receiving greater media coverage, especially in light of ongoing financial consolidation. In the shadow of the spotlight—usually directed at the more attractive facets of culture and art—those seemingly less significant aspects, hidden from the broader public eye, are suddenly coming to the fore. These concern the routine operation of institutions and their collections, both professional and everyday activities, or the very existence of the people working within them. Culture is an important part of daily life, shaping our relationship to it through our value systems. That is why it matters to us.

In the “Current” Section

We present an interview by Barbora Krejčová with Simona Császárová, who, together with her teacher from the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava, Michal Tornyai, received an award in the Typography category at the National Design Award 2025, and was also named Laureate of the Newcomer of the Year in Design. Among other things, you will read about how they managed to complete a state commission for the redesign of vehicle license plates.

Filip Birkner, like Kickie Chudíková, lives in New York, which provided the impetus for a joint meeting. In their interview, set in the informal atmosphere of life abroad, they shared their perspectives on design in the context of their creative work and practical approaches.

Dávid Gabera continues his interviews with designers from eastern Slovakia, this time focusing on the work of Lenka Šturmankinová. She is introduced primarily as an illustrator of children’s magazines, which have become the main domain of her work.

Michala Lipková summarizes fifteen years of the “Flowers for Slovakia” project against the backdrop of a retrospective exhibition of its four cycles, held during the 2025 Days of Architecture and Design at Bratislava’s Primate’s Palace. As the author writes, the project created a space where students and young designers not only have the opportunity to present their work but also to establish professional collaborations with established experts, craftsmen, and designers. In its next cycle, the project is opening up to international cooperation with young designers from the Czech Republic.

The Experimental Design Studio of the Department of Design at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava prepared the exhibition “Parallel Worlds” on the occasion of its fifth anniversary. Its review, reflecting on the wide spectrum of design practices included in projects divided into three paths—material, critical-social, and identity and body—was written by Jozef Eduard Masarik.

Graphic designer, exhibition architect, and educator Pavel Choma is celebrating a milestone birthday this year. In the “Museum” section, Gabriela Ondrišáková recaps his extensive work, especially in exhibition design, cultural posters, and book graphics.

In the “Retrospective” section, we include a contribution by Viera Kleinová about the ceramicist and sculptor Jozef Sušienka, focusing on specific works in public spaces in the cities of Hlohovec, Piešťany, and Bratislava. As Kleinová states, “Jozef Sušienka entered public space in the 1960s to 1990s with at least thirty ceramic realizations; their detailed research is not final due to their scope and sometimes unstable nature,” which presents a promising challenge for further research.

Jaroslav Polanecký reflects on the crucial role of ecological context and sustainability in education in his article “Environmental Aspects of Design Education.” The teaching of the elective course of the same name at the Faculty of Art and Design of Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem fulfills the need to continue highlighting contemporary topics, and the education of young designers should reflect them.

Featured Typefaces

This issue features the display typefaces Rue Slab by Karolína Ježíková and Ankopis Serif by Samuel Kráner.