Let´s Bring Jiří Trnka´s Puppets Back To Life

We have looked after the puppets created by our famous ancestor, but we don't have the means to repair all of them. With your help, we want to restore the puppets from A Midsummer Night's Dream and to display them at the largest exhibition of Jiří Trnka.

Author: Matyáš Trnka

EUR 17,675
pledged of EUR 9,870

179%

179% completed

362 contributors pledged

Film, Art

Praha, Hlavní město Praha, Česko

All or nothing. Project finished on Dec 7, 2018 at 14:34.

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Jiří Trnka

The Czech Year, The Emperor's Nightingale, Prince Bayaya, Old Czech Legends and A Midsummer Night's Dream

Between 1946 and 1965, Jiří Trnka worked on 16 films for which he designed or produced more than 130 film puppets. In the decades since, many of them were irretrievably lost, others are lying in dusty boxes in depositories hidden from the eyes of the public, and those that were eventually found and saved are often in such bad condition that they cannot be displayed. The production of film puppets is very demanding, requiring special materials that can meet the challenging requirements of filmmaking. But it is not possible to preserve them permanently. The original polymetal skeletons of the puppets corrode, the leather elements lose their elasticity, the fabrics deteriorate, the glue decomposes, and the painting from the faces of the puppets is lost. The condition of some of the puppets therefore cannot be classified other than as critical.

 

The son and grandson of Jiří Trnka

We are aware of the duty we have to our famous ancestor and his work. We therefore continually look after the puppets, buy more from private collectors, and have them restored as far as our financial means allow. Only thanks to these efforts were the visitors of the successful Pilsen 2015 exhibition able to see the original puppets from the films of Jiří Trnka. However, we do not have the ability and financial means to repair all of the puppets. The restoration work is costly and, taking into account all of the technological demands, also time-consuming. We therefore appeal to the cooperation of state and private entities, and thanks to this campaign, also the wider public.

We are returning the puppets to the public

For the crowdfunding campaign, we have chosen 10 puppets from the film A Midsummer Night's Dream which we want to restore and return to the public by means of planned exhibitions. In October 2019, we will open the largest retrospective exhibition for the 50th anniversary of the death of Jiří Trnka in the GASK Gallery in Kutná Hora, where we will display the restored puppets for the first time. Other exhibitions will follow.

We also want to present the restored puppets to people who don't see the exhibition. Modern technology offers many ways of doing this. We will transfer the puppets into 3D form, creating digital models that will never succumb to the ravages of time. In addition, it will be possible to easily exhibit them and screen them abroad, place them on the internet, etc. The next step is to create a short virtual reality documentary video. In addition to presenting 3D models of the film puppets, this more or less interactive video should also present scenes from the original film A Midsummer Night's Dream in which the puppets were featured, their damaged condition, subsequent restoration and resulting condition.

How are we working with Jiří Trnka's legacy for the long term?

In 2015, we used materials from the family archive and under the name Trnka's Garden 2 created a unique interactive project combining elements of an exhibition, theatre performance and animated film, which was part of the celebrations of the city of Pilsen upon being named European Capital of Culture. Trnka's Garden is playful and interactive, and brings together young and older viewers. We presented it in several Czech cities, always attracting around 20,000 viewers in each.

Let's bring Jiří Trnka's puppets back to life

Restoring the work of Jiří Trnka is too much for our family alone. We therefore decided to bring the puppet restoration project to the public and offer you gifts thematically connected with this artist in the lead up to the Christmas season. By purchasing them, you will save more than just the puppets. Together we can preserve the child's joy in each of us for future generations.

In total there are 20 puppets from the film A Midsummer Night's Dream to be restored, but our target amount for the campaign has been set at only half of them. If you work together with us we can save still many more.

News

Dec 5, 2018 Jan Pinkava supports Jiří Trnka´s Puppets Back To Life

Jan Pinkava is film director of Pixar´s films Geri's Game and Ratatouille.

More

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  • sold 27
    WE ARE IN TOUCH

    We will open the exhibition in the GASK Gallery in October 2019. Until then we will inform you every month about how our preparations are progressing. 

    In the email we attach a picture from the little chimneys series which Jiří Trnka drew for his children. These are drawings from the family archive, which so far nobody except us has seen. 

    🌞 You can increase the amount as much as you wish
    🌞 Suitable for EN contributors
     

    Reward delivery: in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 7.90
    (CZK 200)
  • remaining 85 from 100
    GIFT SET

    Christmas gift set with illustrations from the books of Jiří Trnka. 

    - pexeso  
    - magnet  
    - Christmas postcard  


    Delivery only in the Czech Republic. 
     

    Reward delivery: on address, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 11.84
    (CZK 300)
  • remaining 24 from 30
    SCREENINGS WITH ANIMATION WORKSHOP

    The  Free Cinema organization holds regular weekend screenings for children of all ages in Kasárná Karlín. The films are followed by an animation workshop.  

    - tickets for two to any screening at Kino KK for children in Prague 

    Delivery only in the Czech Republic. 

    Reward delivery: in a week after the Hithit project end

    EUR 11.84
    (CZK 300)
  • remaining 1 from 30
    THE GINGERBREAD HOUSE

    Illustration by Jiří Trnka from the popular fairy tale book The Gingerbread House by Václav Renč. 

    book  The Gingerbread House  
    poster with illustrations 
    reproductions from the book 

    Delivery only in the Czech Republic. 

    Reward delivery: on address, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 15.79
    (CZK 400)
  • remaining 14 from 30
    MÍŠA KULIČKA

    Did you know that Jiří Trnka also illustrated the children's stories featuring the protagonist Míša Kulička? The book was written by Josef Menzel. 

    Míša Kulička in the Circus (+ CD with narration by Jana Synková and Jiří Lábus) 
    Míša Kulička in the ZOO (+ CD with narration) 
    Míša Kulička in the Toy House 

    Delivery only in the Czech Republic. 
     

    Reward delivery: on address, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 23.69
    (CZK 600)
  • remaining 2 from 30
    CHRISTMAS WITH TRNKA

    Christmas with illustrations from the books of Jiří Trnka and memories of beautiful childhood years. 

    fold-out nativity scene with Christmas carols publication
    decorative Plexiglas for window with nativity scene and star motifs
    - magnet with Christmastime motifs  

    Delivery only in the Czech Republic.  
     

    Reward delivery: on address, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 23.69
    (CZK 600)
  • remaining 17 from 30
    TOUR DURING INSTALLATION FOR TWO

    Are you interested in discovering how the preparations for the Jiří Trnka exhibition in the GASK Gallery in Kutná Hora are progressing even before the first visitors enter? 

    - a guided tour for two during the installation of the exhibition led by Jiří Trnka's grandson 

    The tours will be held in groups and several dates will be offered before the opening of the exhibition in October 2019.  

    🎁🎄  Suitable as a Christmas gift, for which we will issue you a voucher.
     

    Reward delivery: in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 23.69
    (CZK 600)
  • remaining 29 from 50
    GUIDED TOUR FOR TWO

    A tour of the Jiří Trnka exhibit in the GASK Gallery in Kutná Hora, during which you will learn even more about the exposition and the artist. 

    - a guided tour for two led by Jiří Trnka's grandson 

    The first guided tours will begin in October 2019, will be held in groups and offered on several dates. 

    🎁🎄  Suitable as a Christmas gift, for which we will issue you a voucher.

    Reward delivery: in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 27.64
    (CZK 700)
  • remaining 35 from 50
    FAIRY TALE TRIO

    František Hrubín's popular fairy tale books for children illustrated by Jiří Trnka. 

    Květuška and Her Garden
    The Czech Year
    Two Times Seven Stories 

    Delivery only in the Czech Republic. 
     

    Reward delivery: on address, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 35.53
    (CZK 900)
  • remaining 5 from 10
    BADMINTON WITH MATYÁŠ

    Matyáš Trnka is a long-time and experienced badminton player. In a training course he will teach you his favourite shots and tricks which will make you unbeatable. 

    - 1 hour on the badminton court with Matyáš Trnka in Prague 

    🎁🎄  Suitable as a Christmas gift, for which we will issue you a voucher.
     

    Reward delivery: in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 39.48
    (CZK 1,000)
  • remaining 18 from 20
    TRNKA'S GARDEN

    Jiří Trnka's favourite flowers were pansies, which we will plant for you in the garden of the home where he lived for years. We will place a sign with your name next to them and keep a documentary record of the work. 

    - your pansies in our garden and photograph

    🎁🎄  Suitable as a Christmas gift, for which we will issue you a voucher.
     

    Reward delivery: on address, in a quarter after the Hithit project end

    EUR 59.22
    (CZK 1,500)
  • remaining 3 from 8
    ANIMATION WORKSHOP WITH PUPPETS FROM ANCIENT BOHEMIAN LEGENDS

    Animation workshop with original puppets from the film Ancient Bohemian Legends led by Matyáš Trnka in the Animánie  studio in Pilsen. Try your hand at writing a short screenplay, which you will then animate with the puppets. Each participant will receive a digital copy of their film. 

    - full-day animation workshop for 1 person with Matyáš Trnka in Pilsen 

    🎁🎄  Suitable as a Christmas gift, for which we will issue you a voucher.
     

    Reward delivery: in half a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 78.96
    (CZK 2,000)
  • remaining 10 from 20
    PUPPET RESTORATION

    We will explain to you the difficult process of restoring puppets and you will be the first to witness how the puppets from  A Midsummer Night's Dream come back to life. 

    - learn about the puppet restoration process and visit an animation studio in Prague

    🎁🎄  Suitable as a Christmas gift, for which we will issue you a voucher.
     

    Reward delivery: in half a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 118.44
    (CZK 3,000)
  • remaining 1 from 1
    ADOPT THE ACTOR BALL I.

    Adopt the puppet of the  Actor Ball I. from the film A Midsummer Night's Dream and we will make sure that you will be named in connection with it at each exhibition.  

    🎁🎄  Suitable as a Christmas gift, for which we will issue you a voucher
     

    Reward delivery: on address, in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 197.39
    (CZK 5,000)
  • remaining 4 from 5
    REPRINT OF ORIGINAL TRNKA GRAPHIC

    We have reprinted some of Jiří Trnka's graphics especially for this campaign.  

    graphic 8x5.5 cm (sent framed and ready to be hung on the wall)  

    🎄📦   Suitable for international contributors. Postage will be added to the amount.
     

    Reward delivery: on address, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 315.83
    (CZK 8,000)
  • remaining 1 from 3
    ORIGINAL TRNKA GRAPHIC

    There are only a few of Trnka's graphics in existence. We are offering several collector's items right here and now.

    graphic 60x40 cm (sent framed and ready to be hung on the wall)  

    🎄📦   Suitable for international contributors. Postage will be added to the amount.

     

    Reward delivery: on address, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 1,973.94
    (CZK 50,000)
  • Sold out!!
    FIREFLIES

    The collaboration by Jan Karafiát and illustrator Jiří Trnka on the legendary fairy tale Fireflies.   

    book  Fireflies 
    pexeso with illustrations from the book 
    - greeting card with illustrations from the book 

    Delivery only in the Czech Republic. 

    Reward delivery: on address, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 15.79
    (CZK 400)
  • Sold out!!
    THE GARDEN

    The fairy tale book  The Garden, which Jiří Trnka illustrated and wrote. 

    book The Garden  
    decorative stickers with illustrations from the book 
    mirror with illustrations

    Delivery only in the Czech Republic.  
     

    Reward delivery: on address, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 19.74
    (CZK 500)
  • Sold out!!
    ANCIENT BOHEMIAN LEGENDS

    Ancient Bohemian Legends as a book and DVD from Jiří Trnka. 

    book  Ancient Bohemian Legends
    DVD  Ancient Bohemian Legends (restored version) 

    Delivery only in the Czech Republic. 
     

    Reward delivery: on address, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 19.74
    (CZK 500)
  • Sold out!!
    TRNKA SLIVOVICE

    Authentic Trnka slivovice (plum brandy) from Wallachia, where Jan Karafiát lived and wrote the fairy tale  Fireflies

    0.5 l slivovice with thematic label 

    Delivery only in the Czech Republic. 

    Reward delivery: on address, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 19.74
    (CZK 500)
  • Sold out!!
    TICKETS TO PONREPO CINEMA

    Ponrepo is the cinema of the National Film Archive located in the centre of Prague and famous for once housing the studio of Jiří Trnka. It currently screens mostly repertory films and films you wouldn't normally see elsewhere.  

    1x membership card to the Ponrepo cinema (allows purchase of discounted tickets all year round) 
    4x free admission to any screening at the Ponrepo cinema

    Delivery only in the Czech Republic. 
     

    Reward delivery: in a week after the Hithit project end

    EUR 19.74
    (CZK 500)
  • Sold out!!
    JIŘÍ TRNKA SILVER COIN

    The coin was made on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Jiří Trnka. The front side depicts a stop motion image of the elf character from the film  A Midsummer Night's Dream.  

    - Jiří Trnka silver coin 

    Delivery only in the Czech Republic. 
     

    Reward delivery: on address, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 78.96
    (CZK 2,000)
  • Sold out!!
    ADOPT THE DEMETRIUS

    Adopt the puppet of the  Demetrius from the film A Midsummer Night's Dream and we will make sure that you will be named in connection with it at each exhibition.  

    🎁🎄  Suitable as a Christmas gift, for which we will issue you a voucher
     

    Reward delivery: in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 197.39
    (CZK 5,000)
  • Sold out!!
    ADOPT THE ELF

    Adopt the puppet of the  Elf from the film A Midsummer Night's Dream and we will make sure that you will be named in connection with it at each exhibition.  

    🎁🎄  Suitable as a Christmas gift, for which we will issue you a voucher
     

    Reward delivery: in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 197.39
    (CZK 5,000)
  • Sold out!!
    ADOPT THE THESEUS

    Adopt the puppet of the  Theseus from the film A Midsummer Night's Dream and we will make sure that you will be named in connection with it at each exhibition.  

    🎁🎄  Suitable as a Christmas gift, for which we will issue you a voucher
     

    Reward delivery: in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 197.39
    (CZK 5,000)
  • Sold out!!
    ADOPT THE HYPPOLITE

    Adopt the puppet of the  Hyppolite from the film A Midsummer Night's Dream and we will make sure that you will be named in connection with it at each exhibition.  

    🎁🎄  Suitable as a Christmas gift, for which we will issue you a voucher
     

    Reward delivery: in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 197.39
    (CZK 5,000)
  • Sold out!!
    ADOPT THE ACTOR BALL II.

    Adopt the puppet of the  Actor Ball II. from the film A Midsummer Night's Dream and we will make sure that you will be named in connection with it at each exhibition.  

    🎁🎄  Suitable as a Christmas gift, for which we will issue you a voucher
     

    Reward delivery: in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 197.39
    (CZK 5,000)
  • Sold out!!
    ADOPT THE ACTOR LION

    Adopt the puppet of the  Actor Lion from the film A Midsummer Night's Dream and we will make sure that you will be named in connection with it at each exhibition.  

    🎁🎄  Suitable as a Christmas gift, for which we will issue you a voucher
     

    Reward delivery: in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 197.39
    (CZK 5,000)
  • Sold out!!
    ADOPT THE ACTOR WALL

    Adopt the puppet of the  Actor Wall from the film A Midsummer Night's Dream and we will make sure that you will be named in connection with it at each exhibition.  

    🎁🎄  Suitable as a Christmas gift, for which we will issue you a voucher


     

    Reward delivery: in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 197.39
    (CZK 5,000)
  • Sold out!!
    ADOPT THE BAND-MASTER

    Adopt the puppet of the  Band-Master from the film  A Midsummer Night's Dream and we will make sure that you will be named in connection with it at each exhibition.  

    🎁🎄  Suitable as a Christmas gift, for which we will issue you a voucher
     

    Reward delivery: in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 197.39
    (CZK 5,000)
  • Sold out!!
    ADOPT THE DIRECTOR

    Adopt the puppet of the  Director from the film  A Midsummer Night's Dream and we will make sure that you will be named in connection with it at each exhibition.  

    🎁🎄  Suitable as a Christmas gift, for which we will issue you a voucher.
     

    Reward delivery: in a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 197.39
    (CZK 5,000)
  • Sold out!!
    REPRINT OF ORIGINAL TRNKA GRAPHIC

    We have reprinted some of Jiří Trnka's graphics especially for this campaign.  

    graphic 40x47 cm (sent framed and ready to be hung on the wall)  

    🎄📦   Suitable for international contributors. Postage will be added to the amount.

    Reward delivery: on address, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 592.18
    (CZK 15,000)