Beginning Thursday 26 January, the new Czech Photo Centre multi-genre premises is showing the Against Time exhibition of Martin Frouz, holder of Grant Prahy – a special prize from Prague council which is awarded as part of the Czech Press Photo contest each year by Prague’s mayor as an annual creative grant. The work of all other Grant Prahy holders from 1995 to 2016 will also be here to view. The exhibition is being held until 26 February.
The Against Time exhibition comprises a number of smaller units, with location as its focal point. The visitor can thus follow the years-long process of repairing the most important of Prague’s ancient buildings, in Martin Frouz’s case these being the National Museum, Charles Bridge, the National Theatre, Prague Castle, as well as the renovation of Karlín’s St Cyril and Methodius Church, and the Church of the Most Sacred Heart of Our Lord in Vinohrady by architect Josip Plečnik. The author took the photographs over the last 15 years.
‘Thanks to the co-operation of a number of experts, encompassing archaeologists, conservationists, restorers, builders and others, I have had the opportunity and privilege to access sites during the surveys and repairs which not many people are able to get to. I aim here to create, besides the required technical documentation, also pictures which allow the general public to view these moments in time in a more creative form,’ explains Frouz.
Martin Frouz studied at the Academy of the Performing Arts’ Photography Department, and subsequently worked on his thesis, Documentation and Popularisation of Photography in the Service of Science. In 2002, he began working for the Czech edition of National Geographic as a photographic editor and photographer. That year, he took pictures of the August flood in Prague which damaged many buildings in the city centre. Since documenting the flood, Frouz’s path has led him to documenting building repairs. In addition, over time and in relation with his work for National Geographic Czech Republic, he began co-operating with archaeologists, Egyptologists, conservationists, restorers, churches, museum schools and others. Frouz is also currently joint author of a wide range of theoretical articles and publications on conservation work, as well as many books and calendars.
The Against Time exhibition will also include a cross section of all Grant Prahy awards over the period 1995 to 2016. ‘The grants awarded to photographers over the last 22 years comprise an invaluable photographic chronicle of our capital,’ says Veronika Souralová, Director of the Czech Press Photo and also head of the Czech Photo Centre, of the exhibition.
Overview of receivers of the Grant Prahy: 2016 Šebek Jiří – Churches of the New Era 2015 Frouz Martin – Repair and surveying of historical buildings in Prague 2014 Glos Hynek – Disappearing industrial buildings in Prague 2013 Erben Eduard – 80 and over and we still live for sport 2012 Novák Tomáš – Prague outskirts 2011 Dvořáková Alena, Viktor Fischer – The city and water 2010 Vondrouš Roman – Prague residential estates 2009 Jaroš Milan – Life for disabled people in Prague 2008 Sidorják Martin – Cyclists in Prague 2007 Zátorský Jan – Living with trainsv 2006 Kyndrová Dana – Non-profit organisations and the deprived in Prague 2005 Cudlín Karel – Unconventional culture in Prague 2004 Schejbal Jan – Life on the edges of Prague 2003 Stein Štěpánka, Issa Salim – Prague’s Karlín district 2002 Slavík Herbert – Prague personalities 2001 Křenek Jiří – Suburbia 2000 Kracíková Maria – Prague train stations 1999 Rudinská Libuše – Different Praguers 1998 Cudlín Karel – Buildings and people 1997 Kuklík Karel – The city and countryside around it 1996 Ságl Jan – Prague architecture 1995 Kučera Jaroslav - Prague is also like this…
Entrance to the exhibition will cost 50 CZK, or 25 crowns at a reduced prize. Czech Photo Centre is open every day except Monday. From Tuesday to Friday always from 11.00 am until 6.00 pm. Czech Photo Centre - Nové Butovice /wheelchair accessible/ - exit the metro heading towards Lípa polyclinic, Na Zlatě 1.
Press release in .docx
Press release plus photographs available to download in .zip
Photography source: Czech Photo Centre
Public relations - Radek Polák tel.: +420 778 747 113, polak@czechpressphoto.cz