SOCMODERNISM. ARCHITECTURE IN CENTRAL EUROPE

Embark on a fascinating journey through time and space, delving into the history of socialist modernism in Central Europe. This richly illustrated book is not only an analysis of architectural phenomena but also an attempt to reconstruct a fuller story of the region's post-war transformations. Immerse yourself in the world of architects who boldly realized their visions, operating in realities full of constraints, but also taking advantage of the opportunities arising from the utopian spirit of those times.

• Fascinating journey into the history of socialist modernism
• Richly illustrated analysis of architectural phenomena
• Attempt to reconstruct a fuller story of post-war transformations in Central Europe
• Discovering architects realizing their visions in difficult realities
• New perspective on the modernist heritage of Central Europe
• Reflection on the contemporary reception of post-war architecture
• Appeal for a more nuanced look at the legacy of the Cold War era

The book "Socmodernism. Architecture of Central Europe during the Cold War" is a fascinating and richly illustrated journey into the history of socialist modernism, which for decades remained underestimated and marginalized in the study of 20th-century architecture. The publication is not only an analysis of architectural phenomena but also an attempt to reconstruct a fuller story of the post-war transformations of Central Europe. The association of socialist modernism with industrialized and collectivized architecture has too often obscured the outstanding achievements of artists who developed their own unique aesthetic languages and engaged in dialogue with the rich heritage of previous eras.

This book sheds light on architects who were confident in their vision, operating in a reality full of constraints in the GDR, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, the Polish People's Republic, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and exploiting to their advantage the opportunities arising from the utopian spirit of those times. The authors - Dr. Łukasz Galusek and Dr. Michał Wiśniewski - point out that the history of post-war Europe has for years been a narrative full of silences and absences - both in the political and cultural spheres. While these gaps in socio-political history have been slowly filled in the last 30 years, architecture remains an area full of omissions. This publication is a response to the need for a new perspective, restoring balance in the narrative of the modernist heritage of Central Europe.

This is a book that forces us to reflect on the contemporary reception and meaning of post-war architecture. It is also an appeal for a more nuanced look at the legacy of the Cold War era - full of contradictions, but also a wealth of artistic exploration. Edition: Pages: 544, Format: 198x273 mm Year: Year of publication: 2024, binding: integrated Publisher: International Cultural Center Number of pages: 544 Binding: integrated Format: 198x273 mm