Also known as Otto Horsi, Matej Hajek was born in Prague in 1982. From 2003 to 2010 he studied at the Academy of Fine Arts, first with renowned sculptor Jaroslav Róna, and from 2007 to 2010 with Veronika Bromova New Media Studies. In 2006 he interrupted his studies at the Academy of Fine Arts for one year for sailing in the North Sea, also gaining experience in scaffolding companies in Swedish harbours. He graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague in sculpture in 2010.
Notable dates
2003: co-founded a group of artists-activists Ztohoven, where he is active till today. In 2007 Group was awarded NG 333 National Gallery Award for project Media reality.
2010: co-founded Protisedi.cz (Against Grey), a web that monitors cultural events which he initiated as Art Director.
co-worked with “Drexler Vrbata Architects” on reconstruction and redesign of old factory to “Trafo Studios” now used by youngest generation of czech artist.
2011: co-founded (with Andrea Průchová) Fresh Eye project, a lecture series on visual culture.
2012: organized and co-worked on project RE:Vodnany Zátiší. Project was awarded Grand Prix National Architecture Award 2013 in category Architectonic design. http://issuu.com/makedetail/docs/zatisi
2013: co-worked with photographer Bet Orten on presentation of H&M company at Designblok 2013. Project “She and wolf” was nominated Editors Award for best presentation on Designblok 2013. Same project was nominated for Czech Grand Design Award 2013 in category company presentation.
won open competiton for design of new children playground in Prague ZOO. Project “Reservation Bororo” was realized in co-operation with Jakub Nepraš and Molo Architects studio.