Jan Kotěra was an important figure in Czech architecture for his use of modern elements in his works, earning him the title of “founder of modern Czech architecture.” Kotěra’s career began with the renovation of Červený Hrádek, using both neo-Gothic and Art Nouveau elements outside and inside, respectively. Despite being controversial in terms of culture and architectural style, Kotěra’s life and career continued in success, culminating in the creation of his 1913 “masterpiece” the Museum of Eastern Bohemia. Throughout his life, Jan Kotěra continued to create and build works of great architecture.
Karel Zeman: Czech Film Director and Animator
Legendary Czech film director, screenwriter, artist, and animator, Karel Zeman is known for creating fantasy and science fiction films. His first major breakthrough occurred in 1943 while participating in a window-dressing competition in Brno, where he accepted a job offer to work for the Bata Film Studios in Zlin. After that, in 1945, Zeman began work on A Christmas Dream, then directed his first feature film, The Treasure of Bird Island, in 1952. His work is illustrious enough for a museum dedicated to his work, the Karel Zeman Museum in Prague.
Oldřich Kulhánek and the Czech Koruna
Oldřich Kulhánek was a Czech artist and critic of the Communist Regime best known for his work on designing the current Czech banknotes. His career began in 1958 at the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague. During his young life, his politically motivated art would get him arrested and the art almost destroyed since he negatively portrayed Communist leaders. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Oldřich Kulhánek was once again free to express his views through his art and was tasked with designing the bills of the Czech Koruna.
Czech Cubism (Cubo-Expressionism)
The term Cubo-Expressionism was coined in the early 1970s to describe Czech avant-garde art in the 20th century, when elements of Cubism and Expressionism were combined. It was a revolt from earlier art forms with spiritual elements. Czech Cubism, as Cubo-Expressionism is also called, was applied to just more than art pieces, including furniture, objects, architecture, etc. One of the most famous Cubo-Expressionists is Pavel Janák, a Czech architect, designer, planner, professor, and theoretician.
Jaroslava Brychtova (18 July 1924 – 8 April 2020)
Jaroslava Brychtová and Stanislav Libenský’s partnership of almost 50 years birthed some of the defining sculptural and architectural installations of the 20th century. They used their art as a form of political resistance and were inspired by early 20th-century Czech Cubism and metaphysical philosophy to work with abstraction.
Antonin Dvořák
The Life and Compositions of Antonin Dvorak, who had a great talent for melody and including Czech culture in his music, created works of art that captivated his listeners. His life’s work began at the age of 12 when he studied harmony, the piano, and the organ to write Polka music. As his skills grew, so did his network of famous and accomplished fellow musicians, including Johannes Brahms and Tchaikovsky.
Charter 77
Charter 77 is a declaration of human rights published by a group of Czech citizens. It declares that “Charter 77 is not an organization,” rather an idea. Support for Charter 77 mounted as publicly supporting it became more dangerous and life-uprooting. Even still, private and public support for the declaration of peaceful resistance continued, even 40 years into it’s creation.
Landscapes of Czech Painters: Slavíček and Zrzavý
Antonín Slavíček was an impressionist painter who kickstarted the Czech modern art movement. Jan Zrzavý, a painter whose work was defined in terms of neoclassicism and magic realism, also kickstarted the Czech modern art movement. Both artists painted landscapes in ways that captured both the past and the imagination of the Czechoslovakian nation.
David Cerny: Lilit Sculpture
For over a year, David Cerny and his associates have toiled away at the completion of the recently completed "Lilit" sculpture, placed in the Karlin District of Prague. Cerny himself began his artistic career at the Academy of Arts, Architecture, and Design in Prague, continuing to build his knowledge and network with several artist residencies in Switzerland and the United States. His entry into fame began with infamy as he painted a Soviet tank monument pink as an act of "civil disobedience." Soon after did his career take off, eventually making him an impactful cultural installation in Czech society.
Impacting the Arts
There are several Czech artists who have and continue to influence the world, and four of them are highlighted in this article. These artists are Jiri Trnka, Anna Daucikova, Libuse Jarcovjakova, and Yemi AD. From film to painting, glassblowing to photograph, and performance to dance, these artists present a variety of expressions that have influenced the world.
Slovak Flag
White, red, and blue make up the Pan-Slavic Tricolor, chosen based on the flag of Russia since that nation, during the late 17th century, represented Slavic independence and power. In fact, their flag was initially too similar to the Russian flag for them to keep it that way, thus the decision to ultimately add the heraldic symbol was made on September 1, 1992.
Kamil Kubik: Impressions
Kamil Kubik grew into an internationally recognized artist from a rough beginning to his life, having to escape his home in 1948 due to radical political changes. He's most famous for his cityscape paintings, including paintings of Central Park, Prague, London, and the White House, along with a scenic painting from nearly every state in the United States. He became the official artist for the White House.
