Překvapivé dědictví: krematoria a smuteční síně - výstava v MCMA

The selection of the building type, the development of which the exhibition maps throughout the 20th century, may surprise some. The architecture of funeral homes and crematoria is among the very best built during the First Republic, as well as during socialism, in Czechoslovakia. In addition to information about the buildings themselves, visitors will learn about the evolution of funeral rituals – the rise in popularity of cremation, the detachment from religion in the post-World War II period, and the selection of art and artists whose works can be found in the grounds of the funeral homes.
The exhibition will be inaugurated with a vernissage on Tuesday, September 9, at 5 PM, and from Friday, September 12, it will be open to the general public during the opening hours of Villa Stiassni. The exhibition will be on display in the lecture and exhibition building in the area of the famous villa until the end of 2025. The exhibition consists of panels with texts in Czech and English and rich visual material, complemented by large-format photographs, publications, and other thematic items.
Funeral rituals have been historically linked to religion, symbolism, and mysticism. With the popularity of cremation in the early 20th century, crematoria became a symbol of national self-confidence and pride. The funeral homes of the socialist era had to express their spirituality more subtly, often referencing harmony with nature. The exhibition prepared by the curatorial team of the methodological center of modern architecture in Brno presents all these aspects of this somewhat overlooked architecture. Interested locals in Brno will find the story of the establishment of the funeral home and crematorium at the Central Cemetery or the poignant fates of the ceremonial hall in Brno-Židenice, designed by architect Ivan Ruller.
“The research on funeral homes and crematoria was carried out by the methodological center team for three years. We traveled throughout the Czech Republic during this time. As heritage conservationists, we noted the state of preservation of the ceremonial halls and artworks, and we were often surprised by the meticulous care and interest that local residents devote to these buildings. And this is despite the fact that the vast majority of them do not have heritage protection,” says the head of the Methodological Center for Modern Architecture, Petr Svoboda.
The exhibition was created based on institutional support for the long-term conceptual development of the research organization provided by the Ministry of Culture. The project of exhibitions in the area of Villa Stiassni is also long-term supported by the statutory city of Brno.