From 16 October 2026 to 7 March 2027, the Design Museum Brussels presents Identita – The Story of Czech Graphic Design, an exhibition dedicated to more than a century of graphic design in the Czech Republic. The exhibition explores the role of graphic design in shaping the country’s identity and bears witness to the profound political, social and cultural changes that have marked its history. Located in Brussels, the capital of Belgium and home to the main institutions of the European Union, the Design Museum Brussels also aims to serve as a showcase for European creativity and the diversity of its design cultures. With this in mind, the museum regularly hosts temporary exhibitions that offer a particular European country’s perspective on its history and design culture. Identita is part of this initiative, inviting visitors to Design Museum Brussels to discover the history and distinctive characteristics of Czech graphic design, while placing them within a broader European context. Graphic design plays an important role in the way a country presents itself and shapes its identity. Posters, books, magazines, logos and national symbols not only tell the story of their time, but also reflect the social developments of their era. Since the beginning of the 20th century, the development of graphic design in the Czech Republic, and, prior to 1993, in Czechoslovakia, has therefore been closely linked to the country’s turbulent history. The 20th century brought profound changes, from the establishment of an independent state and two world wars to the succession of two totalitarian regimes. After 1989, society and the economy underwent a fundamental transformation, with the transition from a socialist planned economy to a market economy. All of these developments were reflected in the country’s graphic culture. Through original works and reproductions, the exhibition introduces visitors to some of the most striking examples of Czech graphic design and to the designers behind them. Each work is presented within its cultural, historical and political context. This makes it possible to see how graphic design and society have influenced one another over the years. Identita at the Design Museum Brussels brings this story to a new audience, offering visitors the opportunity to discover how Czech graphic design evolved over the course of nearly a century in dialogue with politics, technology, everyday life and cultural trends. The exhibition is curated by Filip Blažek and Linda Kudrnovská, in collaboration with curator David Korecký and the team at the Design Museum Brussels for the Brussels presentation. The touring exhibition Identita is a joint project of the Typo association, Mowshe studio, the Museum of Literature and the network of Czech Centres. The graphic design was created by Marvil studio. The architectural design was developed by Adam Blažek, Jan Kloss and Matěj Činčera of studio Okolo.
Identita - The Story of Czech Graphic Design
Location: Place de Belgique, 20, 1020 Laeken
