THE DREAM I NEVER KNEW I DREAMT

One thing everyone will tell you about Prague is that the architecture is magical.

The city was mostly spared from the bombings of WWII which has allowed its medieval city centre to remain intact. There you can find beautiful examples of Baroque and Renaissance architecture block after block after block.

But, a style of architecture not as widely thought of can be found all throughout The Prague Metro, which was built during the communist regime of the 1970s. That style is Brutalism. For me to witness the underground today, in 2021, while the world is at a stand still due to a global pandemic… is a dream I never even knew I dreamt.

Brutalism gained notoriety both in England and the former Soviet Union during the post-war era. The style is characterized by minimalist constructions which showcase materials and structural elements rather than decorative design. Some may find this type of construction cold, emotionless, and even soulless but I find the minimalist design and attractive materials, such as glass, marble, and concrete to be inspiring.

Communism and Stalinism are things I’ve only read about in books, never experienced first hand, but standing in these empty metro stations I couldn’t help but imagine what life must have been like during those times, times that forever changed the course of history and humanity.

Photography has the power to freeze time and help us reflect on the world. What I’ve learned from this experience of traveling and capturing these images is that through immersion of history and culture we are better able to understand the people around us, as well as ourselves.

Be safe and well.