I have read Franz Kafka is he Czech? I remember reading metamorphosis and although an adult was really quite scared when he described the transformation that took place from human to insect. I have also read the castle and enjoyed the wit and perceptive insights into how beuraucracy and the organization controlling the system is self serving with little time for the individual particuarly those from outside as the main characters were. When did Kafka write these books. Was he persecuted by the authorities and if so to what extent? I read the histories of architecture and was given a book, "Prague Baroque Architecrure," by Pavlik & Uhler. The buildings are beautiful and quite unique in their form. The rooms grow like a multi-cellular body of cells Oval and round. I can't wait to see them in the flesh as it were. Are there any good books about modern Czech architecture? I like Mucha and was quite captivated by his St. Vitus stained glass window. His representation of the Bio form (organic in english) is superb. What exactly is Bohemia and where does the belief that this is the most artistic centre in europe (historically) stem from? Who are the original artists that gave Bohemia it's reputation. I ask this because having heard of the Bohemian lifestyle as a youth I thought of it as a movement like Asceticism or Aestheist and so on. The word conjours up images of a kind of nineteenth century hippy type into art as a lifestyle, but what are it's roots? Anybody who can answer any of these questions I would appreciate hearing from you. And I'm out
Well, it's interesting question. Before WWII there was big German and Jewish community, and for centuries this area was under mixed Czech, German and Jewish (and others) influence. Kafka his book wrote in German, but he lived in Prague, when he wrote most of them. He wasn't persecuted. he was lonely and depressed and he worked as clerk in insurance company - which wasn't very fulfilling job back then. But bauracratic machinery of Austrian empire was renowned. Unfortunately many of it still remains in todays Czech republic. Well this is surprisingly easy answer - Bohemia is foreign name for Czech lands - it originated in 19th century France by mistake / French thought that wandering gypsies came from Czech lands / Again - mistake, sorry In fact, Czechs are rather opposite - realistic, unemotional. Which doesn't colide with fact, that many Czech artists become famous over the world.
Vilo publishing brought out a beautifully illustrated book on Czech art and architecture in 2002. It is called "Prague"and covers the developments in art and architecture between 1900-2000. The authors are Jana Caverie and Alena Kubova. You can take a look at it on (and purchase from)www.psbooks.co.uk If you pop "communism" in their search engine, they've a small selection of books on the topic from various viewpoints, (including experiences of communism in China and Eastern Europe) which you might enjoy. All the best, Laylah
I checked that one out, looks good, particuarly communism in america. I would like to see the now disbanded american communist parties archives held in the NY library. What would be interesting is to see how their published materials spoke of ideology after the persecution dealt to them by the american government. Thanks. And I'm out.
