Czech Artist Klára Hosnedlová Unveils Monumental Installation 'Embrace' at Hamburger Bahnhof

Berlin's art scene is poised for a significant event as Czech artist Klára Hosnedlová unveils her monumental installation, "embrace," at the Hamburger Bahnhof – Nationalgalerie der Gegenwart. Running from May 1 to October 26, 2025, this exhibition inaugurates the CHANEL Commission, a partnership between the museum and the CHANEL Culture Fund.

"embrace" stands as Hosnedlová's most ambitious work to date, featuring nine-meter-high tapestries, large-scale embroideries, organic reliefs, and site-specific objects. The installation utilizes materials such as flax fibers, cast glass, sandstone, clay, iron, and concrete slabs. Embroidery motifs are derived from film and video recordings of performative interventions staged by the artist in Berlin, reflecting architecture, films, and novels that define the cultural memory of the border regions of the present-day Czech Republic.

The exhibition delves into themes of home, utopia, and everyday life within different political systems, creating a utopian landscape within the museum's historic hall. This immersive experience coincides with Berlin Gallery Weekend, offering visitors a unique blend of Eastern and Western artistic influences.

Born in 1990 in Uherské Hradiště, Czech Republic, Hosnedlová is a Berlin-based artist known for her innovative fusion of autobiography, national history, and craft. Her work often includes hyperrealist embroidered imagery based on private performances, preserving ephemeral moments as timeless fragments.

The CHANEL Commission at Hamburger Bahnhof is an annual initiative that marks a new chapter in the museum’s legacy, empowering artists to realize ambitious, large-scale projects. This collaboration reimagines the museum's iconic 2,500-square-meter historic hall, transforming it into an immersive, thought-provoking arena.

An edition of the Hamburger Bahnhof catalogue series, published by Silvana Editoriale Milano, will accompany the exhibition.

Hosnedlová's "embrace" offers a profound exploration of cultural memory and identity, particularly concerning the border regions of the Czech Republic. By integrating materials and motifs from these areas, the installation prompts reflection on the interplay between personal and collective histories. The partnership between Hamburger Bahnhof and the CHANEL Culture Fund signifies a significant investment in contemporary art, providing artists with a platform to push creative boundaries and engage with complex socio-political themes.

As Berlin prepares to host this landmark exhibition, "embrace" is set to become a focal point for discussions on art's role in bridging historical narratives and contemporary experiences.