Total Works of Arts: Hotel Praha and Czechoslovak Architecture 1945-1989

Curator Adam Stech of the Czech creative collective OKOLO will talk about the communist era Hotel Praha in Prague, demolished in 2014. Focusing on the strong design legacy and the phenomenon known as “total work of art” (Gesamtkunstwerk), where architecture, design and art became one all-embracing art concept, Stech will present several other projects by leading Czech architects and designers, working between 1945 and 1989. Taking place in the iconic brutalist building of the Slovak Embassy, visitors will have a unique chance to truly immerse themselves in this fascinating cultural heritage.

Built over six years, Hotel Praha made use of the latest technology, materials and interiors and with a seemingly bottomless budget it became the most luxurious hotel within the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, an architectural symbol of late communist rule used almost exclusively by the party. Leading architects and designers were invited to take part: Jaroslav Paroubek, Arnost Navratil, Radek Cerny and Jan Sedlacek were enlisted for this complex architectural commission. Zbynek Hrivnac, an interior and furniture designer prepared interior concepts and ideas to implement large unique artworks from a line-up of prolific artists such as Rene Roubicek, Stanislav Libensky, Stanislav Kolibal or Karel Nepras. After the collapse of the communist regime in Czechoslovakia, the hotel was transferred into a state-owned commercial five star hotel, and was eventually torn down in 2014.

Prior to demolition some of the pieces were rescued by private collectors and museums. A collection of these pieces are part of the exhibition ‘Hotel Praha’ by Sigmar, London and OKOLO, Prague as part of the Brompton Design District programme ‘Material Consequences’ curated by Jane Withers Studio, during the London Design Festival, 15 – 23 September 2018.

Free admission. Register through Eventbrite link below.