Lot 208

Jan Vyleťal (1940 - 2013) TRIBUTE TO DR. GRYGAR (WINDOW OF THE UNIVERSE WIDE OPEN)

Jan Vylet'al, the twin brother of the artistically more famous Josef Vylet'al, created geometric abstractions that were unparalleled in his field. They reveal the artist's predilection for exploring the nature of life, genetics and the universe. Jan Vylet'al was a member of the Czech Astronomical Society. Symmetry, fractals and geometry play an important role in his works. Each work pulsates as a peculiar ecosystem of natural laws. The author chose rather demanding techniques to express them. Jiří Grygar works in the Department of Astroparticle Physics at the Institute of Physics of the CAS. He has also spent his whole life promoting astronomy and related fields of physics. The television programme Okna vesmíru dokořán (Windows of the Universe Wide Open) was criticised by the previous regime for its low political commitment and objectivist approach - but thanks to these qualities it has become inspirational for a whole generation of young people interested in real science.