Czech Photographic Avant-Garde, 19181948

(Hardback)

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Description

Not until the fall of the communist regime in 1989 and the end of Czechoslovakia's cultural isolation did the world begin to appreciate the Czech avant-garde photographers of the first half of the 20th century. This survey of Czech avant-garde photography introduces the important work of Frantisek Drtikol, Jaromir Funke, Jaroslav R ssler, Jindrich Styrsky, Josef Sudek, and numerous others whose work made Czech photography synonymous with visions of modernity. The essays introduce the period and explore the background and connections among the photographers. Biographical profiles are also included. But the book's main attraction is its outstanding collection of duotone and color images, many published here for the first time. The Czech edition of this book received the "Best Photographic Publication of 1999-2000" award from Primavera Fotogr fica in Barcelona and from Month of Photography in Bratislava and was one of six finalists for the 2001 Kraszna-Krausz Photography Book Award.

Reviews

...a stunning book whose images abduct the reader into a world most of us only see in dreams.

-- Evan Rail * The Prague Post *

A wonderful collection of images that will be unfamiliar to most readers. Highly recommended.

-- Christian Perring, Ph.D. * Metapsychology *

An unbelievable collection from some of the best relatively unknown photographers of the early avant-garde.

-- Taylor Holland * The Austin Chronicle *

Now translated into English, this important book...expands our knowledge of the history of photography of this critical period.

* B&W Magazine *

..one cannot but be startled by the depth and importance of the Czech tradition.

-- Mark Pohlad * History of Photography *

The scholarship of the six contributors is formidable and will not soon be superseded.

-- Alan G. Artner * Chicago Tribune *

...this book reveals the body of work that paved the way for later Czech photographers.

-- Mark Wojahn * Rain Taxi Review of Books *

This remarkable collection will repay hours of study and belongs in the library of anyone who seriously studies modern photography.

* Choice Magazine *

Author Bio

Vladimir Birgus is Professor at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague and Head of the Institute of Creative Photography at Silesian University in Opava. He is the author of numerous books on Czech and European photography, including Photographer Frantisek Drtikol, Czech Photography of the 1990s, and The Nude in Czech Photography.