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
QUBUS (est. 2002)
Qubus has been provoking with conceptual design objects and art pieces for 24 years!
All Qubus products are HANDMADE IN BOHEMIA – handmade in the Czech Republic.
Qubus stands also for the first Czech design shop with its own production in Czech Republic, located in Rámová Street No.3 from the very beginnings in 2002. The luxury collectibles and everyday utility products are famous for their inventive design that ironically and humorously pushes the boundaries of your personal taste.
Qubus was founded in 2002 by artist, sculptor and designer Jakub Berdych Karpelis (1971), who invited Maxim Velčovský (1976), a recent graduate of UMPRUM, to collaborate with him. The design duo was behind the opening of the Qubus showroom in the same year. They co-directed the Qubus brand together as a duo until 2009. In 2009 Maxim left for LASVIT and since that Jakub followed as art director of Qubus – his own brand. Since 2010, Jakub Berdych Karpelis has remained as the art director and chief designer of the brand. In 2023 arts manager, curator and producer Marcela Straková (1977) has joined Jakub and since then they have been co-directing Qubus as artist-producer duo together towards the 25th anniversary which comes in May 2026.
In addition to conceptual and product design Qubus also carries out projects in the field of interior and exhibition design. Qubus has been awarded and Jakub also an author of several prestigious awards across the fields of culture, art and design, and has created a number of now iconic installations, collections and artworks under the Qubus brand.
Qubus products are characterized by the use of radical materials such as glass and porcelain, all created in local workshops and in collaboration with local masters of their craft.
The tiny imperfections and bubbles are a testament to handmade craftsmanship.
Qubus Design Studio serves as a platform for the artistic work of Jakub Berdych Karpelis and other artists/designers that Qubus invites to collaborate.
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