How did people a century ago imagine the future? And what can their visions tell us about architecture, art, and the world we live in today? These were the very questions addressed by the first FUTURE / ISMS I symposium, which took place on October 30 and November 2–3, 2026, at the Viadukt Karlín venue in Prague.

The symposium was organized by ARCHIP in collaboration with the Institute of Art History at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University. Its initiator and academic supervisor was Dr. Helena Čapková, who heads the science and research department at ARCHIP. The event offered ARCHIP students and others interested in architecture, art, and design the opportunity to meet experts from various countries and explore topics that transcend the boundaries of individual disciplines.

The first edition focused on historical Futurism and its international context, particularly the relationships between Italy, Czechoslovakia, and Japan. The lectures demonstrated how Futurist ideas spread across countries, how they influenced art and architecture, and how they took on new meanings in different cultural contexts.

From Japan to Central Europe

Helena Čapková opened the program with a lecture on Japanese Futurism. She was followed by Jana Kotalíková, who shared the story of her grandfather, the artist Václav Fiala, and his travels to Japan. The event also included a presentation of her archive and art collection. Italian historian Pierantonio Zanotti explored the relationship between Futurism and Japanese literature, as well as shifts in the perception of space.

On the second day, speakers included Eliza Culea-Hong from France, Toshiharu Omuka from Japan, Marie Rakušanová from the Czech Republic, and Peter Szalay from Slovakia. Their lectures presented various perspectives on Futurist architecture, art, exhibitions, and cultural exchange in both Europe and Asia. The program concluded on the evening of November 3 with a lecture by Pierantonio Zanotti on the relationship between Japanese and Italian Futurism.

New topics and a space for encounters

FUTURE / ISMS I also marks the beginning of a long-term research initiative by ARCHIP, which Helena Čapková is developing with the aim of connecting architecture with art history, culture, and other disciplines.

“It is precisely events like these that give students the opportunity to learn about new research approaches, meet experts, and view architecture from a slightly different perspective. International speakers participated in the program online, so the event provided a space for sharing experiences across countries,” says Helena Čapková. As Regina Loukotová, ARCHIP’s rector, emphasizes, openness, international collaboration, and the integration of diverse perspectives on architecture are key components of the school’s educational mission.

The first FUTURE / ISMS thus introduced a topic that ARCHIP plans to revisit in future research and lecture activities.

We thank all the speakers and participants for sharing their work and ideas, and the Italian Cultural Institute for supporting the event.