Archive: Culture | Architecture Architecture
Prague company keeping classic Czech design of early 20th century alive
The company Modernista, which has a shop in the centre of Prague, deals in
both original Czech furniture from the first half of the 20th century and
replicas it has made under license. Perhaps most notably, Modernista sells
and recreates Cubist pieces – including ceramics and clocks – which are
unique to this part of the world. Owner Janek Jaros described the business
to me when we spoke a few days ago. More
My house is my castle: the best and worst in village architecture
You may know the feeling – you return to your native village after a long
absence and come across an eyesore – a building that screams “money,
power and influence” and sticks out like a sore thumb from its
surroundings. That is the kind of building that architect and photographer
Jan Kruml likens to a flashing gold tooth. More
Brno's Villa Tugendhat reopens after two year renovation
This week saw the completion of a two year restoration project of Villa
Tugendhat, a unique functionalist villa in the city of Brno. Its history
matches that of Czechoslovakia: repeat occupation, dilapidation and
ultimately restoration. More
The Mánes Exhibition Hall – an icon of functionalist architecture
The functionalist Mánes Exhibition Hall, located on the right bank of the
Vltava river between the bridges Jiraskův most and Most Legií, is one of
only two buildings in Prague that were expressly designed to house art –
the other one being the famous Rudolfinum gallery. Martin Pavala, the
chairman of the supervisory board of the Czech Art Foundation, which owns
it, explains that the art gallery’s history started in 1930. More
‘Adolf Loos – A Private Portrait’ offers readers a unique glimpse into the life of the modernist architect
In today’s Arts I talk to artist and editor Carrie Paterson about the
first English-language edition of a rare and fascinating book originally
published in 1936. Written by the third wife of modernist architect Adolf
Loos, Claire Beck Loos (Klára Becková-Loosová of Plzeň) it was
previously available only in German; the new edition, published by
Doppelhouse Press, is called Adolf Loos – A Private Portrait. More
The House of the Black Madonna – home of the only surviving Cubist café in the world
Nestled between busy Wenceslas Square and Prague’s number one tourist
destination, Old Town Square, the House of the Black Madonna houses a small
museum of Cubism as well as the only surviving Cubist café in the world
– the Grand Café Orient, which was renovated between 2002 and 2005. More
The Museum of Decorative Arts – a must-see destination for fans of Czech design
Lovers of Czech applied arts and design will find a veritable treasure
trove of interesting items, ranging from glass wares to clocks and metal
works, in Prague’s Museum of Decorative Arts. Located right across the
street from the well-known Rudolfinum palace, the museum is housed in a
stunning Neo-Renaissance building. It was one of the last in Prague to be
designed in that style. The architect was Josef Schulz, who also was behind
the Czech National Museum. More
Eva Eislerová – Czech designer who reached top of jewellery world in NYC
The Czech artist and designer Eva Eislerová originally wanted to be an
architect. Instead, she became one of the most highly regarded makers of
art jewellery in the world, after emigrating to New York in the 1980s with
her half-Czech, half-English husband, John Eisler. Today Eva Eisler, as she
is known to her collectors, spends most of her time back home in Prague,
where she teaches at the metals department at the Academy of Arts,
Architecture and Design. More
The Clementinum, the Baroque pearl of Prague
Standing in the centre of the Clementinum – if you can locate such a
thing in the labyrinth – you are surrounded by around a millennium of
history and millions of volumes of books inside one of the most beautifully
preserved masterpieces of Baroque art the city of Prague has to offer. This
is the seat of the Czech National Library and the whispering and rustling
that echoes through its grand halls add perfectly to its natural
mysteriousness. More
New tome captures genius of pioneer of Cubist architecture Josef Gočár
In Prague’s Old Town, on the corner of Celetná Street and Ovocný trh,
you will find the House of the Black Madonna, one of the most distinctive
structures in a city known for its unparalleled mix of architectural
styles. It was the first building in the rare Cubist style of architecture
strongly associated with the city, and today houses a Cubist museum. More
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