Exhibition Modern Architecture in Colombia and Lecture

Opening of the exhibition: February 28, 2007
Organizers: U15130 - Institute of Design IV at the Faculty of Architecture CTU, Jaroslav Fragner Gallery, Architecture Gallery Brno

The project of the historically first comprehensive exhibition of the not very well-known architectural work in Colombia during the twentieth century stemmed from cooperation between CTU in Prague and UNAL in Bogotá - in the previous two years, joint urban workshops took place in both countries.

The exhibition will be ceremoniously opened at the Jaroslav Fragner Gallery on Wednesday, February 28 2007 with the participation of Colombian architecture professors. Eduardo Samper and Fernando Cortes Larreamendy (UNAL University Bogotá) and Jorge Mario Gómez Velasquez (UNAL University Medellin) will also participate in a meeting with journalists that will precede the vernissage.

Prof. Eduardo Samper will introduce the Czech public to building developments in Colombia, the current challenges faced by architects, and future plans in a lecture, the date of which will be specified shortly.

After the Prague audience, the exhibition will also be open to the public in Brno, where the installation will be transported.

The first part of the exhibition will present black and white photographs of the "Golden Age of Colombian Architecture." A selection of interesting buildings will culminate with the Torres del Praque building (1965) in Bogotá. Conversely, the first building that began the history of modern architecture in Colombia is significantly the Faculty of Architecture at the National University of Bogotá. Colombian architecture is not well-known not only to us but also to world architects and historians; however, its quality justifies its position on the international scene. It has not only been influenced by foreign creations and significant figures of architects. Its form has been significantly shaped by the topographical, geographical, and climatic conditions of the country, which ultimately encouraged creators to freedom of expression. The Golden Age, finding its own modern form of architecture, became a platform for the second half of the twentieth century. An overview of the work of architects captures the conceptual foundation for future generations of architects in the country.

The second part of the exhibition showcases selected buildings created since the 1970s. The architecture aligns itself with global trends, yet specifically interpreted within the Colombian context. The international influence has been used as a creative starting point, a legitimate step toward recognition. The exhibition will present the gradual development with respect to local conditions, approaches, and feelings for architecture in Colombia. This part is appropriately captured through color photography.

Latin America is often associated with the phenomenon of uncontrolled growth of large cities, connected with a massive influx of people into urban areas. However, this leads to a one-sided view. The exhibition, along with the lecture, aims to disrupt this scheme, contribute to greater awareness, create a new opinion, and open a discussion.