Week with Pavel Janák

The National Technical Museum is preparing a thematically arranged program in collaboration with the Institute of Art History that will introduce the public to the significant Czech architect, theorist, urban planner, designer, and educator Pavel Janák (1882-1956), who significantly contributed to the development of the Czech architectural scene in the first half of the 20th century. On March 12, you can join us in commemorating the 130th anniversary of the birth of this giant of Czech architecture.

On March 12, 2012, exactly 130 years will have passed since the birth of Pavel Janák (1882-1956), a leading architect, theorist, urban planner, designer, and educator, who made a fundamental contribution to the development of the Czech architectural scene in the first half of the 20th century.

The National Technical Museum, in collaboration with the Institute of Art History of the Czech Academy of Sciences, decided to commemorate this important anniversary with a specially prepared program titled "The Week of Pavel Janák". As the title itself suggests, activities aimed at modern architecture enthusiasts will take place during the week starting March 12, 2012. The series "The Week of Pavel Janák" consists of an introductory lecture and three thematically composed walks through Prague, which will present Pavel Janák and his work across a wide spectrum of his activities.

The expert portion of the program will be provided by architectural historian Mgr. Vendula Hnídková, Ph.D. from the Institute of Art History of the Czech Academy of Sciences.

Program:

I. Lecture
Monday, March 12, 18 - 20 hours: expert lecture for the public at NTM (Mgr. V. Hnídková)
I. expert lecture for the public at NTM

Pavel Janák, the modest master of Czech architecture

The special lecture will introduce the inspiring personality of Pavel Janák (1882-1956) against the backdrop of the history and culture of the first half of the 20th century. Pavel Janák is well-known to the general public as the author of cubist buildings and furniture, the architect of the Pardubice crematorium, Hotel Juliš, and as the architect of Prague Castle, a position that occupied him intensely for the last twenty years of his life. However, what cannot be condensed into a brief list of activities is his rich organizational and civic involvement, immense professional expertise and creative enthusiasm, entire generations of Janák's students, and a wide circle of his collaborators, as well as the atmosphere of the time, which significantly contributed to the character of both built and unrealized projects. Based on the outlined aspects, we will try to provide a vivid portrayal of Pavel Janák's personality as an important representative of culture, whose goal was not merely to improve architecture but to improve human life through architecture.

II. block of thematic walks through Prague's buildings by Pavel Janák
Tuesday, March 13, 16 hours: Modern urban palaces (Palazzo Riunione Adriatica; Škoda Works Palace; Hotel Juliš; Autoclub building). Meeting in front of the Adria Palace.
Wednesday, March 14, 16 hours: Modernization of Prague Castle (reconstruction of the Míčovna; reconstruction of the Riding School; reconstruction of the Belvedere; presidential residence in the Royal Garden). Meeting in front of the Riding School of Prague Castle.
Thursday, March 15, 15 hours: Modern housing (the garden city idea in Střešovice; the artistic colony in Ořechovka; a residential building in Dejvice; housing exhibition Osada Baba). Meeting in Ořechovka, in front of the Central Building.

Applications are accepted by: Robert Vejvoda, National Technical Museum, email: robert.vejvoda@ntm.cz; tel. 220399204. Note: The capacity for the walks is limited, so we recommend early registration.
Admission for each of the four Janák days is 60 CZK, reduced student rate - 40 CZK, to be collected before the lecture on March 12, 2012, at the ticket office.

> www.ntm.cz/aktualita/123-1532012-tyden-s-pavlem-janakem