LATIMERIE / PRAGUE - Vinohrady area (Czech republic - summer 2008) TREASURE LAND / LISBOA - Graca area (Portugal - summer / autumn 2007)
I used to be very introvertuous. Until the age of 14 my world was represented with literature, music and art. I started with photography when I was 10 and spent most of my leisure time in the dark room with some background music on. At the age of 15 I discovered theatre and founded a theatre ensamble in my hometown in Central Slovakia. Later I studied acting and theatre direction
at an academy in Brno. For some time I worked at the City Theatre of Prague, but after two years I felt that being tied to this stage was not enough for me. But theatre in general was a logical consequence of my long time interest in arts – since it allowed for a mix of various art forms and genres in a single pot.
Since 1996 I have worked only on my own projects in various genres and art forms.
In some cases I focus on the purity of a particular genre, in others I play with them.
I produce theatre shows, which I also direct and create set design, focusing
on the complexity of my artistic expression in terms of harmonization
of interpretational and aesthetical elements. The power of simplicity in this
respect is a challange for me.
Since 15 I’ve been deeply interested in puppet theatre as well.
I studied various techniques as I was fascinated by the visual power of puppets
and the possibility to bring life to the unliving object in combination with music.
This fascination stood behind the show named ROMANCES GITANES which
I realized a couple of years later. The piece was inspired with old Gypsy
legends and modern Gypsy music. I travelled with the show around many
countries in Europe and Asia. Later on I also developed a workshop which
was based on the experience from realization of this show. I still run these
workshops and teach work with puppets, aesthetics on stage. The final
point of the workshop is a short piece created by the participants.
Together with famous Czech singer and musician Ida Kelarová we have
founded the civic association named MIRET (which in Czech stands
for International Initiative for the Development of Ethnic-related Creativity).
This organization focuses on working with young Roma talents, mostly
in their teen years. Their creativity differs from other groups of society,
and it’s very strong in emotion. I direct and produce their concerts and
art exhibitions. I know their often miserable lives and I also know their
stage potential, their temperament and ellegance. Their life paradoxes
and creative potential are fascinating and I’m passionate to work with
them since it’s so inspiring.
I also do other things, though. I’m a co-director of Q - community life-style programme for the Czech national television. I write film scripts,
theatre plays, song lyrics... But most of all I love sitting at casual cafes and bars,
meet people and lead a lush life. Whatever lush may mean. And doing that I record moments and atmosphere of events and enjoy the inner experience. Then, when
I feel like being alone, I enjoy solitude and paint or draw and transform the stories
I had lived through and which evoke some motives in my mind.
They relate to my life and everything I do.
Sometimes I also take pictures of ordinary life and some photographies
open futher horizons for me. I print them on screen and then use
them as the initial point of further artistic creation. I put them away when I don’t know which direction to take on them, then come back to the orginal ideas and try to push
it further, until I’m totally satisfied. I prefer to exhibit in cafes rather than galleries.
I think that people like the fact they don’t have to walk around the exhibition space
and adjust to the stream of other viewers. Instead they can sit down, have a coffee
and a cigarette, chat or just meditate – maybe even about the pictures
Peter Serge Butko (*1970) Producer and theatre director living in Prague, Czech Republic.
He has worked on many international projects and has visited such countries
as Russia, Finland, Austria, Poland, Pakistan, Serbia and Montenegro, Hungaria,
Slovakia, Portugal, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Morocco, and others during works on these projects.
He has worked in the field of fine arts occasionally since his 20’s.
He has created most of the set and production desigins of his theatre
performances. Among other activities he also produces festivals, music and charity project.
He studied theatre direction at the Janáček Academy of Muse Arts under the leadership
of the internationally famous theatre director Petr Scherhaufer.
