New York/Czech Center

Photo by Antonin Kratochvil

Last night I went to the Czech Center to see my friend David Hrbek from the Czech Republic. He was leading a panel discussion--much as he does back home--with three distinguished Czech photographers: Antonin Kratochvil, Vladimír Birgus, and Jindřich Štreit. Kratochvil is the one of the three I had heard of, a photojournalist who was documented wars and the human condition all over the globe.


Photo by Vladimir Birgus


Photo by Jindřich Štreit

Although Kratochvil's photos exhibit the most panache in the strange way that gritty photojournalism can have a stylish aspect. Streit's more prosaic documentation of village life--particularly during the pre-Velvet Revolution days--have a humanist dimension that tugs more at the heart. Birgus's color street photography are skillfully poised compositions, sharply seen.

One tangent of the conversation had to do with prison experiences of the photographers. Kratchovil has been arrested or detained many times in his role as a photojournalist. But Streit told the story of his arrest by the Czech government during the communist years. His photographs of farm life were deemed anti-state, and according to the website Amber Online, he was sentenced to 10 months in prison for "defamation of the republic and the Head of State, based on an interpretation of his photographs. Even his camera was confiscated as an instrument of the crime. The case is probably unique in the history of photography."


Left to right: Vladimir Birgus, Jindrich Streit, and Suzanne Vega
© Brian Rose

My friend Suzanne Vega was at the Czech Center as well. A couple of years ago, she and I had been invited by David Hrbek to take part in a film festival in the Czech Republic. Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of David, but he did a terrific job moderating the discussion, and it was good to see him again. It was David's first visit to New York.


East 68th Street/Hunter College
© Brian Rose

On my way home via the 6 train at 68th Street. The sign says: Day for Night Day for Night...