Koudelka Brings Destruction to the National Gallery

One of the most important photographers in the world, Josef Koudelka, is exhibiting his cycle of large-format photographs titled De-Creazione, at the Trade Fair Palace in Prague; Koudelka has donated the works to the state. The cycle was created at the initiative of the Vatican, which, for its first presentation at the Venice Biennale in 2013, invited artists to present works based on the three basic themes of the Book of Genesis: creation, destruction and re-creation. 

Koudelka naturally focused on the topic of man’s irreversible intervention in nature, something he has devoted himself to for thirty years. The photographer examined three sources of destruction: The influence of time on human history and the environment, wartime conflicts and the conflict between nature and the industrial world. The resulting work became 18 large-format photographs—nine horizontal panoramas and three vertical triptychs.

Koudelka’s De-Creazione cycle can be seen in the Small Hall of the Trade Fair Palace until 23 September 2018, daily except Mondays from 10am to 6pm. The project was created with the support of the Pudil Family Foundation.

The Pudil Family Foundation is an open non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the understanding and appreciation of Czech and international modern and contemporary art through the realization of innovative exhibitions, research and educational projects. 

For more information regarding the Foundation and our projects, visit www.pudilfamilyfoundation.org.