Czech Photographic Avant-Garde, 1918-1948

Not until the fall of the communist regime in 1989 and the end of Czechoslovakia's cultural isolation, did the world begin to recognize and appreciate the Czech avant-garde of the first half of the twentieth century. Due in part to the large exhibitions of Czech modern art in Houston (1989), Valencia (1993), and Dijon (1997), as well as many specialized exhibitions, Prague is now regarded as a focal pont for Cubism, Functionalism, and Surrealism. Between 1918 and 1948, exceptionally original works of Czech avant-garde art were created by artists such as Frantisek Kubka, Zdenek Pesanek, Otto Gunfreund, Jindrich Styrsky, Toyen, Josef Coear, Karel Teige and many other painters, sculptors, typographers, and filmmakers. The same situation exists in Czech modern photography where, in addition to Frantisek Drtikol, Josef Sudek, and Jaromir Funke, worldwide recognition has slowly been bestowed upon other Czech photographers. Covering a period that begins with the establishment of an independent Czechoslovakia in 1918, and ends with the start of the communist regime in 1948, this book is the largest and most representative display of Czech avant-garde photography and photomontage, and further contributes towards the growing international interest in these works.Birgus, Vladimir is the author of 'Czech Photographic Avant-Garde, 1918-1948', published 2000 under ISBN 9788086217093 and ISBN 8086217094.