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Current AffairsSixteen years after Velvet Revolution few communist relics remain
Sixteen years ago this week 40 years of communism in Czechoslovakia
dramatically
came to an end, rapidly dismantled by massive public protests in the city
streets. Almost overnight, the old structures collapsed and with it the
symbols of a decayed system: countless red stars, party banners, statues
of revolutionaries, and 'eternal' monuments to the country's communist
presidents - were carted off to unknown 'graveyards' - usually the
dustbin. More
SpotlightFrom conversion to decay: taking stock of the industrial heritage in the Czech Rep
The Czech Republic is a country with a fascinating industrial heritage all
too often overshadowed by the Renaissance or the Baroque. Anyone who has
ever travelled through Prague's formerly working-class districts of Karlin
and Holesovice, for example, or has cycled in the north or east of the
country, will have taken note of beautiful but crumbling 19th century
factories, forgotten textile plants and old mills, falling apart girder by
girder, brick by brick. More
Current Affairs"Vestiges of Industry" highlights industrial heritage
In a country full of medieval castles and Renaissance palaces it is
sometimes easy to overlook the Czech Republic's rich industrial heritage:
abandoned 19th century breweries, forgotten mines, and massive steel or
textile factories now left to rust and crumble brick by brick. But, the
last five years have seen a major turn-around: investors in the Czech
Republic have at last been attracted into buying industrial space and
turning factories into fashionable galleries, studios, or living space.
This week, the 3rd "Vestiges of Industry" biennale maps some of
the successes - but also some of the risks.
More
Czechs in HistoryA look at the Czech architect who built Hiroshima's Industrial Promotion Hall - today's A-Bomb Dome
This week citizens of Hiroshima, but also the rest of the world will mark
the 60th anniversary of the first use of the atomic bomb in war. On the
morning
of August 6th, 1945 - in an instant - most of Hiroshima ceased to exist. More
One on OneVlado Milunic - A Master of the Dancing House
Yugoslav-born Vlado Milunic is one of the most respected architects based
in the Czech Republic, whose work includes a well-known and remarkably
quirky and playful housing estate in Petriny, a Prague district, and the
world-class Dancing House on the banks of the Vltava River, which he
collaborated on with renowned architect Frank Gehry. In our interview
Vlado Milunic talks about his views on architecture and the Dancing House,
as well as the mystique the city of Prague has held for him ever since he
first arrived at the age of just sixteen. More
ArtsJiri Skopek - life of an architect
Jiri Skopek is a Czech-born architect who left the country of his birth
with his when he was just 19. Studying in London Jiri soon became involved
in projects that included building a recording studio for the legendary The
Who, and in the 1970s designing the first solar house in Britain's Milton
Keynes. In later years he worked on the Arabian Peninsula, and - in the
eve of the 90s - drew up the master plan for one of the most recognisable
sites in Toronto.
More
Current AffairsBrno sports complex wins architectural Grand Prix
Czech architecture has a long and rich tradition, but in the last few
years, it has also come in for a lot of criticism, as faceless shopping
centres mushroom around the country. In order to improve the quality of
contemporary Czech architectural design, the Czech Society of Architects
organizes an annual competition. On Wednesday the international jury of
the Grand Prix announced the winner.
More
Current AffairsProf. Jan Hird Pokorny - a modern architect and living legend
Architect Jan Hird Pokorny is a legend of the Czech émigré community in New
York City, where he has been living and working since 1940. A former
professor of architecture and preservation studies at Columbia University,
he was instrumental in saving countless historic buildings in his adoptive
homeland from destruction: among them, the Bohemia National Hall, once the
centre of New York's thriving, Czech émigré community. This Tuesday, Prof.
Pokorny--at 90 years old still considered a modern architect--was
awarded the honorary title of doctor honoris causa from the Czech
Technical University, his first alma mater. This week, he is also to
receive a lifetime achievement award from the Czech union of architects.
Brian Kenety caught up with Prof. Pokorny at the Prague opening of a
retrospective of a half century of his work. More
One on OneMartin Krise - Prague architect on planning, development and preservation
A former town planner, Martin Krise is now an architect and a leading
member of the preservationists group, the Club for Ancient Prague. When we
met recently the conversation ranged from the Club's activities to planning
and development in the Czech Republic over the last 15 years.
More
ArtsUnique "Italian Chapel" in Prague undergoes restoration
Prague architecture has been influenced by the cultures of different
nations for centuries. Especially German and Italian architects have left
their mark in the Czech Capital. In the 16th century - during the reign of
Emperor Rudolph II many Italian builders and masons came to Prague to help
to extend Prague Castle. And they were followed by other Italian craftsmen
and traders, says Italian ambassador Giorgio Radicati.
More
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