Course detail

Czechoslovakian Visual Culture 1945–1970

FaVU-CVKAcad. year: 2022/2023

A course is focused on the study of visual images in Czechoslovakian books, magazines, film and television. Individual lectures deal with applied graphics, photographs and spatial realizations in public space. They pay attentions to the records of live images of the May Day demonstrations or experimental "living ads" from the shop windows. Miscellaneous visual materials are analyzed and interpreted in relation to institutions, changes in cultural policy and in connection with the creation and development of consumer society.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

MgA. Pavel Ryška, Ph.D.

Department

Department of Art History and Theory (KTDU)

Learning outcomes of the course unit

Students get knowledge about the transformation of post-war Czechoslovakia culture according to the Soviet model. They understand the causes of the gradual erosion of the doctrine of Socialist Realism and returns to modern aesthetics in applied art from the late fifties and sixties. They will understand the economic, technological and organizational working conditions. They will be able to identify important realization of Czechoslovak industry, architecture and books, film and television graphics.

Prerequisites

Students must be familiar with visual culture in Czechoslovakia in 1918 - 1945.

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Teaching methods depend on the type of course unit as specified in the article 7 of BUT Rules for Studies and Examinations .

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

Course assessment is based on an essay (minimum 1500 words).

Course curriculum

1. Applied graphics and illustrations
Development of book and magazine graphics, typography and illustrations in connection with changes of editorial experience in post-war Czechoslovakia.

2. From political satire to „pure humor“
Modern caricature and requirements of Soviet aesthetics. Czechoslovak humorous magazines. Association of cartoonist „Polylegran“ and their response to American and West European „cartoon poetry“.

3. Everything for children
Illustrated children's books and children's magazines. Political education under the SNDK. Production and distribution of filmstrips.

4. Socialist Realism in architecture
Mechanisms of cultural transfer between the Soviet Union and the post-war Czechoslovakia. Surface decoration and plastic exteriors.

5. Advertising or propagation?
Graphic design and photography in visual agitation, promotion and economic advertising. Freelance artists and employees of the „Reklamní podnik státního obchodu“ (Promotional state trading enterprise).

6. EXPO 1958
Demonstration of the socialist ideal of science, industry, culture and lifestyle. Response of the pre-war modernism. International organic style.

7. Brussels style
Graphic arts and industrial design in the socialist economy. Formation of consumer articles. Textile designers. Board games and toys. Use of plastics.

8. Film and television
Film and television graphics of the fifties and sixties. Partial animation. Advertising jingles.

9. Movie posters
Promotion of the Czechoslovak film industry.

10. Short films
Role of short films in the state-controlled cinematography. Ways of popularization of science and technology. Film in education.

11. Three-dimensional images
Development of Czech stereoscopic cinema in the fifties. Stereovision, colourfully and vividly with Meopta system.

12. Production designers
Artists, designers and filmmaking. Productions of Czechoslovakian cartoon and puppet films.

13. Light advertising
Centralized production and distribution of neon tubes and other light images. Animated neon signs in Czechoslovak cities.

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

The aim of the lecture series is to introduce lesser-known activity of significant personalities of fine art, but also the ordinary work of designers who participated in the visual style of the Czechoslovakian cultural promotion, advertising and fabrication of a wide range of industrial products.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

Lectures are optional.

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Not applicable.

Type of course unit

Lecture

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

MgA. Pavel Ryška, Ph.D.