Franz Kafka Cup 100
ABOUT THE PRODUCT
design: Jakub Berdych Karpelis & Silvie Luběnová, 2024
material: porcelain, silkscreen illustration, hand-painted ears
dimensions: 10 x 7 cm, volume 300 ml
The limited edition of "ear mugs" was created on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the death of the writer Franz Kafka. The sewn mug with the likeness of Franz Kafka was designed for Qubus by Jakub Berdych Karpelis in collaboration with illustrator Silvia Luběnova (maestrokatastrof). They added two ears to the slender silhouette and painted pink cheeks on the famous portrait photograph. What connects the Qubus brand with Franz Kafka? The genius loci of Prague's Old Town: Kafka, like Qubus, was born leaving his mark on Prague's Old Town. The Qubus showroom in Rámová Street is not to be missed on your way in the footsteps of Franz Kafka.
Franz Kafka's work was the inspiration for Jakub Berdych Karpelis' unique porcelain object called Kafkanistán (2008).
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Silvie Luběnová (1977, Kroměříž) is a ceramicist, illustrator, paper restorer and Kintsugi master. She merged the first two disciplines and under the brand maestrokatastrof Silvie produces unique porcelain pieces. Her work with porcelain led her to found another brand, Live Longer. Together with her colleague and jewellery designer Adéla Fejtková, she brings broken or damaged pieces back to life. Silvie is currently completing her restoration studies at the Hellich School in Prague, working at the National Archives and in her studio, and is licensed as an Hon Kintsugi Master after completing her residency in Kyoto in 2023.
Jakub Berdych Karpelis (*1971, Prague) is the co-founder of the brand Qubus (*2002), which is also the first brick-and-mortar design shop with its own production in the Czech Republic and one of the most famous Czech design studios (not only) in the Czech Republic. A graduate of the Secondary School of Arts and Crafts Sculpture and Stonework in Hořice, since 2002 he has been focusing on conceptual work with traditional materials such as stone, glass and porcelain. He is the creator of comprehensive collections and products that have made their way to Moss Gallery New York and Mint Gallery London. His work is represented in many museum and private collections in the Czech Republic and abroad. He is the recipient and designer of several awards. Since 2009, he has been the chief designer of the Qubus brand, under which he works with curators, artists, designers and architects whom he invites to collaborate. In 2008, he founded the gallery store DOX by Qubus (DbQ) in the DOX Contemporary Art Centre in Prague, where he works as art director.
ABOUT THE BRAND
The Qubus brand was founded in 2002 by Jakub Berdych Karpelis together with Maxim Velčovský and in the same year they opened the eponymous brick-and-mortar design shop in Prague's Old Town as the first ever design shop in the Czech Republic. The main idea and motivation of Qubus is to design, produce and present Czech contemporary and conceptual design with wit and unconventionality. A number of now iconic design products, collections and works have been created under the Qubus brand and the Qubus brand, the first on the market at the time, has become one of the most popular design studios in the Czech Republic in its 20 years of operation. Qubus products are characterized by their humour and search for new meanings and contexts.
Qubus designers most often work with traditional Czech materials - glass or porcelain, and their hallmark is a humorous play with morphology and function. Central European sarcasm meets commentary on the world around us in Qubus products. They respond to lifestyles, mirror prejudices and reflect cultural and social themes and trends.
Among the products in the Qubus portfolio, we find luxury and everyday pieces that shape taste and push its boundaries. In addition to conceptual and product design, the studio also executes interior design, architecture and free art projects by Jakub Berdych Karpelis and other artists it invites to collaborate.
