The unmistakable stamp of Czechoslovak architecture from the second half of the 20th century can be seen, for example, in the Ještěd Tower, the pavilion at Expo 58’ in Brussels and the currently hotly debated Máj Shopping Mall – or the Hotel Thermal and its Grand Hall. It was in the iconic premises designed by Věra and Vladimír Machonin that the world saw the premiere of Czechoslovak Architecture 58–89 in the presence of a large delegation.
The mastermind behind the project, which is based on impressive images of buildings, drawings and a colourful mosaic of testimonials from living icons of Czech and Slovak architecture, is the rapper and author of the book of the same name, Vladimir 518. “Imagine coming from a certain kind of cultural ghetto and going among architects, where you are often regarded as a fool. You first need to build trust. It is a great honour for me to have received that trust,” he told the audience and welcomed on stage also the associate professor of architecture Radomíra Sedláková and the designed of the Transgas building Václav Aulický.
Jan Zajíček, the film’s director, spoke directly to the festival management just before the screening began: “I thank the Karlovy Vary Film Festival for this extraordinary opportunity. To be able to present this film here, in the Grand Hall, is deeply symbolic for us.”
