Josef Sudek: I will be happy to photograph modern modern architecture

Venue: House at the Black Mother of God, Ovocný trh 19, Prague 1
Date: May 18 – September 18, 2016

The free work of photographer Josef Sudek (1896–1976) gained popularity and worldwide recognition, yet some parts of Sudek's work remain almost unknown. This includes images of modern architecture brought forth by the exhibition titled "I will gladly photograph modern modern architecture," available from May 18 to September 18, 2016, at the House at the Black Mother of God.

In 1930, Josef Sudek responded to architect Jaromír Krejcar's request to photograph his buildings: “Dear Mr. Architect! I will gladly photograph modern modern architecture. 1 photo 18 × 24 = 85 CZK and additional copies 25 CZK. Time for photography daily from 7–9 ½, in the afternoon from 1–3 ½. On Saturday all afternoon. Respectfully J. Sudek.”
This and other correspondence from Sudek's estate reminds us that he was not only the author of well-known and acclaimed photographic cycles, such as From Invalidovna, Saint Vitus, Window of My Studio, Stroll Through the Magical Garden, Mionší Primeval Forest, Contrasts and Labyrinths, or Panoramic Prague, which we could classify as his free creations. Particularly in the 1930s and 1940s, commissioned photographs predominated in his work. He produced portrait photos, advertising photographs for various companies and publishing houses, and also photographed the works of leading artists, including paintings and sculptures.
Sudek collaborated with prominent architects – Josef Gočár, Pavel Janák, Jaroslav Fragner, Jan E. Koula, Richard F. Podzemný, Vladimír Grégr, Karel Hannauer, and many others. This resulted in an extensive collection of images of modern architecture from Prague and the surrounding area, as well as from Hradec Králové, demonstrating the photographer's ability to adapt his characteristic style to modern subjects and also providing insight into the everyday practice of Sudek's studio. The exhibition at the House at the Black Mother of God features photographs of St. Wenceslas Church in Prague-Vršovice, the ESSO power plant in Kolín, the so-called Glass Palace in Prague-Dejvice, Barrandov Terraces, buildings by architect Josef Gočár in Hradec Králové, as well as images of private villas and their modernly designed gardens, which, despite their documentary nature, surprise with a strong artistic expression.
More than eighty photographs created from the late 1920s to the early 1950s that have not yet been exhibited collectively come mainly from the collections of the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague; modern copies were lent by the Institute of Art History of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. The exhibition is a contribution of the UPM to the double anniversary of Josef Sudek, which falls this year.

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