Comments on: The Žižka Monument http://blog.myczechrepublic.com/2006/07/25/the-zizka-monument/ Blog written by two Prague residents about life in the Czech Republic. Sun, 01 May 2011 19:41:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Jesse http://blog.myczechrepublic.com/2006/07/25/the-zizka-monument/comment-page-1/#comment-2485 Jesse Tue, 31 Oct 2006 23:08:10 +0000 http://blog.myczechrepublic.com/2006/07/25/the-zizka-monument/#comment-2485 A wonderful example of Brutalism, eh? Well, it may be an exemplar of brutalism but I'm not sure I ever would've associated that style with wonder (except perhaps as to why anyone found it compelling). As to the monument's bizareness, perhaps I may have been referring more to its paradoxes than its actual style. I find the monument's giant size incongruous with the way it goes almost unseen until pointed out. Many visitors to Prague never even notice it, and it's very difficult to appreciate the inhuman scale of the building until actually standing next to it. The bizareness is increased by the monument's uses (war memorial, shrine to the proletariat, mausoleum, abandoned hulk, etc). As the sign outside in February 2005 read, "the Monument's destiny was lamentable." But I suspect that whether Czechs have come to terms with their history or not has little to do with what they think of the building. But most of the people I know think it's bizarre that I find the monument intriguing. A wonderful example of Brutalism, eh? Well, it may be an exemplar of brutalism but I’m not sure I ever would’ve associated that style with wonder (except perhaps as to why anyone found it compelling). As to the monument’s bizareness, perhaps I may have been referring more to its paradoxes than its actual style. I find the monument’s giant size incongruous with the way it goes almost unseen until pointed out. Many visitors to Prague never even notice it, and it’s very difficult to appreciate the inhuman scale of the building until actually standing next to it. The bizareness is increased by the monument’s uses (war memorial, shrine to the proletariat, mausoleum, abandoned hulk, etc). As the sign outside in February 2005 read, “the Monument’s destiny was lamentable.” But I suspect that whether Czechs have come to terms with their history or not has little to do with what they think of the building.

But most of the people I know think it’s bizarre that I find the monument intriguing.

]]> By: RAW http://blog.myczechrepublic.com/2006/07/25/the-zizka-monument/comment-page-1/#comment-2099 RAW Mon, 16 Oct 2006 16:27:46 +0000 http://blog.myczechrepublic.com/2006/07/25/the-zizka-monument/#comment-2099 Its not bizarre at all. This is a wonderful example of 1930's Brutalist architecture in Prague (perhaps even the world). However I think the entry to the competition to design this monument by cubist masters Otto Gutfreund and Pavel Jamak would have a been a lot more spectacular. When Czech people come to terms with their recent past, they will come to love this monument also. It is an important part of architectual history and an amzing building (you have to go inside to really understand it's awe). Its not bizarre at all. This is a wonderful example of 1930′s Brutalist architecture in Prague (perhaps even the world). However I think the entry to the competition to design this monument by cubist masters Otto Gutfreund and Pavel Jamak would have a been a lot more spectacular. When Czech people come to terms with their recent past, they will come to love this monument also. It is an important part of architectual history and an amzing building (you have to go inside to really understand it’s awe).

]]> By: Jesse http://blog.myczechrepublic.com/2006/07/25/the-zizka-monument/comment-page-1/#comment-1517 Jesse Fri, 08 Sep 2006 08:49:35 +0000 http://blog.myczechrepublic.com/2006/07/25/the-zizka-monument/#comment-1517 I know it's bizarre, but this is one of my favorite monuments in Prague. The bizareness (not only the history, but also the architecture) is what makes it so interesting for me. Not to mention that the horse is gigantic, and there are giant braziers to match. Thanks for the wonderful photos! I know it’s bizarre, but this is one of my favorite monuments in Prague. The bizareness (not only the history, but also the architecture) is what makes it so interesting for me. Not to mention that the horse is gigantic, and there are giant braziers to match. Thanks for the wonderful photos!

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