Milan Knizak

Milan Knizak was born in Pilsen, Czech Republic, in 1940 and became famous as a member of the Fluxus group. His artistic activity has been extremely varied, ranging from painting and sculptures to the reworking of common objects, from impromptu music to jewelry and performances. After graduating with a degree in mathematics, he taught at several universities, including the University of Kentucky, the University of California at Los Angeles and the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague. Knizak has organized numerous Fluxus exhibitions and festivals throughout Europe, from the Czech Republic to Austria, Hungary and Poland. In 1990, he was invited to participate in the Venice Biennale in an anthology of the Fluxus movement.During the communist period, Knizak was guarded by police and also faced trial with the band Plastic People of the Universe. In 2010 he received the Medal of Merit for his artistic career. From 1999 to 2011 he was director of the Czech National Gallery in Prague.