The Golden City of Prague: Past & Present

This course traces the evolution of Prague's rich architectural and artistic traditions from the past to present and seeks to follow the "dialogue" between art historical traditions and modernity. Delving into the past, this course examines the relationship between legends and architectural facts, Bohemian art and architecture as physical forms of collective memory and political propaganda, and the use of public areas of the city for daily activities. Turning toward the present, the course explores how present-day Prague - once a city of artistic and architectural tradition - is being shaped by global forces and international esthetic synergies. The course examines the works of selected international and local architects and artists such as Frank O. Gehry and David Cerny, who have looked to Prague as a place of modernist artistic experiment and architectural expression and have helped transform the city into a fascinating mix of traditionalism and international modernism.