Appene — Ondrej Cizmar

The next chapter is about Karel Hanák, a person I met through the organization Krásná Práce. We collaborated on a series of vases that were based on the technique of Habanska fajans, which is his specialty primarily used for museum collections, and my role was to modernize it. What’s interesting about him is that his workshop is absolutely charming. He has a small cottage where he works with ceramics and also has a space for car repairs. Every time I visited, he would make coffee for me— always black, no milk, no sugar—and then he’d light cigarette he always filled in half. Our conversations were always wonderful, covering everything from politics and architecture to life in general. My collaboration with Karel Hanák was one of those rare encounters built entirely on trust. Each of us knew our role and that mutual respect made the process flow naturally. Even though it happened five years ago, I still think of it fondly. The vases we made together are truly unique; he’s a master of his craft, and every piece carries an incredible precision and depth. I wanted to make the project exciting for him, not just another museum replica. Something that
would connect his traditional skill with a new audience. In the end, it worked — he managed to sell a few of the vases at a higher margin than usual. But more importantly, it allowed him to do work he genuinely enjoys. That was the real success. He’s a bit like a fairy-tale grandpa.. warm, witty, slightly unpredictable. Working with him reminded me what collaboration can feel like when it’s rooted in craft, curiosity, and care.

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