Koudelka 1968

[rob_w]

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Highlight of our recent visit to Prague was the Koudelka 1968 exhibition at the National Gallery.  It was mounted as a multi-media event with sound effects, voice-overs from the era and movie clips.  The photos were projected on huge screens in a darkened environment.  It made the whole experience very immersive, involving and emotional. 

 

The photos themselves were also exhibited separately in conventional fashion.  One has to admire the courage and technique under very difficult circumstances and, of course, the passion and courage of the resisting population as well.  If you are in Prague this summer don't miss it.

 

PS I so often visit this forum for insights on various lens and camera performance as new releases continue to push the boundaries of technology.  Seeing Koudelka's pictures was a great chance to re-connect with the composition, light and shade and emotion of the photographer's art at its best.  None of the pictures would have come near today's expectations for IQ although they are indeed technically masterful for the time and conditions under which they were taken.

[Chuck Albertson]

I was also impressed with the National Gallery presentation - the cacophony of sounds, along with the projection of Koudelka's photos and the film clips by Jan Nemec was very effective. There are also several other exhibits of 1968 photos all over Prague, or at least there were last week. Many not seen in public before.

 

I was going by the Czech Radio building on Tuesday, and they were unveiling a new plaque in memory of the many people killed there during the takeover. One of the speakers was the Prime Minister, who I gathered is not universally loved; his speech was drowned out by whistles (police whistles), catcalls, and a lot of chanting by a large part of the crowd.

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[250swb]

 None of the pictures would have come near today's expectations for IQ although they are indeed technically masterful for the time and conditions under which they were taken.

 

'for the time', great way to trash the entire history of photography, and indeed anybody still using film. If we can't talk about the quality of a photograph nowadays without bringing it down to megapixels then the progress you imagine has been made is entirely illusory, expect among gear freaks. But I agree, Koudelka is a great photographer.

[Chuck Albertson]

What has always impressed me the most about Koudelka's reportage that week is that the vast majority of it was shot with a 25mm lens - he was only a couple of feet away from the action. There are a couple of film clips circulating of the man shooting away on top of a Russian tank that is furiously driving away from a crowd of protestors in Wenceslas Square.

[ianman]

 It made the whole experience very immersive, involving and emotional. 

You are very fortunate. I went to see the exhibition in Brussels and it was truly dreadful... the experience I mean, not the photography of course.

[Chuck Albertson]

Here's what the exhibit looks like. One of my favorites is in the lower left corner - looks like the man was on his way into work (note the briefcase), and decided to attack a T-54 with a paving brick:

 

 

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