Vladimir 518: Architecture 58–89 - Plzeň Lecture

The final part of the series on architecture from 1948 to 1989, prepared by the Plzeň association Pěstuj prostor, will take place on Friday, December 16, at 5:30 PM in the Šafránek Pavilion of the Faculty of Medicine at Charles University in Plzeň. The invitation has been accepted by rapper, visual artist, and architecture expert Vladimir 518, who will focus in his lecture on Czechoslovak “architecture 58–89.” As an editor, he dedicated a two-volume publication of the same name, which was published this year.

Vladimir 518 himself admits that his path to a deep understanding of the architecture of the pre-revolution decades began with reluctance. However, when he started looking for answers to the questions he posed to himself (“How could they have built this?”), he gradually uncovered various connections, and his original attitude transformed into enthusiasm. His change of opinion and dedication to the cause culminated in an effort to reshape the relationship between the general public and the stigmatized architecture of the years 1958–1989. About the monumental (two)volume book, on which he collaborated with thirty experts, historians, and architectural historians for over a decade, he says that “it represents an attempt to convey to people the perspective through which we view it.” In addition to the book, Vladimir 518 is also preparing a television series and a feature film as part of this project.

“During the lecture in Plzeň, Vladimir will talk not only about the most interesting personalities but will also introduce other creators, as well as the recently forgotten or underrated works of this period,” states the series dramaturge Petr Klíma from the organizing association.