Why It Matters Now
David Lynch’s Up in Flames opens June 19, 2025, at DOX Centre in Prague—his first and largest solo exhibition in the Czech Republic. Taking place just after his passing, the retrospective spans six decades of his visual artistry, offering fans a rare glimpse into Lynch beyond film.
🎨 What’s on Display
- Over 400 works—drawings, lithographs, watercolors, photos, plus short experimental and animated films—from the late 1960s to Lina’s final years .
- Organized thematically rather than chronologically, the layout reveals visual and formal through-lines across his oeuvre .
- A large proportion of pieces come directly from The David Lynch Estate, with additional works from Item éditions (Paris) and Pace Gallery (LA).
🗣️ Who’s Involved
- Curated by Otto M. Urban, who collaborated closely with Lynch to shape the exhibition’s narrative and selection.
- Presented by DOX in collaboration with The David Lynch Estate, Pace Gallery, and Item éditions.
- Lynch himself reviewed installation plans and approved works before his death in January 2025.
🔥 Exhibition Atmosphere & Highlights
- The gallery spaces are painted in muted tones, including “Twin Peaks red,” echoing Lynch’s cinematic spaces — especially the Red Room.
- Major themes—such as eroticism, insects, fire, deformed bodies, industrial imagery—are woven across mediums to create a cohesive Lynchian aesthetic.
- Accompanying programs include screenings of Lynch films (Blue Velvet, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me), classics (Sunset Boulevard, Persona), plus experimental music and literature events.
🧠 Social Buzz & Fan Reactions
- Reddit users are excited: “Then there’s no excuse not to. Flixbus from Dresden to Prague is less than 3 hours. The exhibition looks to be well worth it!”
- Many praise DOX for delivering a “stunning, lifetime retrospective” with deep emotional impact .
- Local and international news outlets describe it as “the event of the year,” heralding it as the most ambitious presentation of Lynch’s art outside the U.S. .
⏳ What’s Next?
- The exhibition runs June 19, 2025–February 8, 2026, open Tue–Sun 11 a.m.–7 p.m., with free entry on opening night and guided curator talks to follow.
- DOX plans summer outdoor film screenings and live events to complement the exhibit, offering a multi-sensory dive into Lynch’s artistic ethos .
- For those near Europe, the exhibit’s timing and proximity make it an optimal cultural pilgrimage.
