We are introducing Lukáš Paleček and the Talking Machines.

The washing machine washes. Although there is no water coming out of it, the drum is spinning and it is making loud noises, testifying there is movement inside. The hose is sticking out into space waiting to be connected. All sorts of cables are winding through the space like an unsettled animal: some of its parts are resting on the floor, twisted on the back part of the washing machine, or they are venturing out into the space. Several machines are waiting to be connected, the instructions also offer some buttons to be turned on. The radio is playing according to momentary mood, which quickly changes: it tunes, explodes, becomes silent, the content or volume cannot be predicted. More numbers are appearing on the wall; they are the prices corresponding to the individually drawn machines. Most of them are out of the scope of our possibilities. We can hear the machines’ spokesperson from the loudspeakers and he gradually introduces all the machines. Gently, as well as expressively, depending on each machine.

Lukáš Paleček is the author of drawings, objects, performances and audio compositions in which he lends his voice to various objects and machines. He is interested in old instruments such as Romo and Tatramat washing machines, or Tesla radios and cassette players. Lukáš collects machines: he finds them or is given them by acquaintances who are aware of his interest. He shares his studio with his father, where each of them has his machines. Lukáš’ devices mostly no longer work or are only partially functional. On one shelf he has only parts, dismantled bodies of machines. Lukáš performs repairs on them, anatomical excursions. At other times he takes care of them with the aid of plastic pasteboard, making splints for them and fixing their fractures. Lukáš observes the machines, listens to them, imitates them and learns their language. He expands and deletes his own playlist. Nevertheless, he is not merely a human automaton – jukebox. Lukáš builds up his own repertoire, in which he explores the auditory manifestations of the machines he includes in it in minute detail. He thereby tests and trains his own sensitivity, his ability to mimic and engage, his memory. At the same time, however, it appears that the machines enable him to augment his own means of expression, to extend the possibilities of his own speech. The language of machines has somehow provided Lukáš with opportunities to express his emotions more directly, and compensated for the ways in which human language can be limiting.

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Lukáš Paleček (born 1977) lives and works in Prague. Since 2013 he has been creating his artworks – drawings, objects and audio performances at the Barvolam studio at Letná, Prague 7, a creative studio focusing on support for “spontaneous art”. Lukáš has taken part in several group exhibitions held by the Studio, including at the Kampus Hybernská, the DOX Centre for Contemporary Art or the NOD gallery. In 2019 he held an independent exhibition entitled Romo Washing Machine Washes Cucumbers in the Jelení Gallery, part of the Center for Contemporary Arts Prague.

The project Talking Machines, a living archive of the performative and audio works of Lukáš Paleček, has been systematically documented in collaboration and financial support of the Barvolam non-profit organization, that offers support for neurodiverse artists.

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A series of video documentaries about art practice of Lukáš Paleček made by Ivan Svoboda:

The project titeled Lukáš Paleček's Talking Machines, a living archive of performative and sound works, is produced in collaboration with Barvolam, an association that offers support to neurodiverse artists.

The project is supported by the City Hall and the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic and the EEA Grants.