Hip hop homage for controversial Czech architect
The former Federal Assembly building in central Prague
After years of his buildings being branded monstrosities by Prague residents, the work of Communist-era architect Karel Prager is winning over new fans - all thanks to a Czech hip hop artist.
Karel Prager's best-known work is the former Federal Assembly building in Prague City Centre, which most recently has become part of the Czech national museum. Built above and around the old Prague Stock Exchange, Prager's innovative extension hovers over the older building supported by girders.
In the mind of many residents, Prager closely linked to the former Communist regime simply because he designed the building used as their seat of power. When the 4+4 Days in Motion festival was offered the chance to use the building, rapper and graphic artist Vladimir 518 felt the time was right to question these preconceptions and prompt a rethink of Prager's work.
Czech hip hop artist Vladimir 518 is a big fan of Karel Prager's work
Photo: Vladimir 518
The hip hop artist points out that Prager never signed up to the Communist Party and, like everyone else, was simply forced to operate within the political climate of the time.
Vladimir came up of producing a multimedia tribute to Prager as part of the festival, combining futuristic electronic beats with striking images of Prager’s work, including plans, drawings and 3D models of his buildings, projected onto a huge wall in the hall where Czechoslovak politicians sat for over two decades.
Prague correspondent Ian Willoughby went along for a fresh look at the work of one of the most maligned Czech architects:
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