EXPO and the CR

Paris 1925

The Exposition International des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes was held in Paris between 30 April and 15 October 1925. Czechoslovakia's participation was overseen by the Union of Czechoslovak Work. Josef Gočár opted for a very bold design - a modern reinforced concrete structure. The facade was reminiscent of a ship, on the pronounced tip of which sat Victory, a statue by Jan Štursa. The construction of the pavilion was commissioned to a domestic building company, the Perret brothers (Auguste Perret was a pioneer in reinforced concrete, and designed a theatre with a triple stage for the exhibition). The small Czechoslovak state emblem was positioned at the foot of the notional keel as a typically heraldic feature. The pavilion design received much praise. The structure was tastefully complemented with a modest landscaped park, containing sculptures by Otta Gutfreund and Otakar Švec. However, Pavel Janák failed to combine this concept aptly with the installed exhibits, which in places seemed to become a collection of ethnographic artefacts. The interior was overly decorated and the colour scheme was too rich, and therefore was not in line with the character of the pavilion. What is more, the pavilion was situated right on the edge of the exhibition grounds. Exhibition space was also made available to Czechoslovakia in the Grand Palais des Industries (an industrial exposition), at the Esplanade des Invalides (a presentation by the Union of Czechoslovak Work), and in the Grand Palais (an exhibition of vocational education and trades). Ladislav Sutnar won a silver medal for his exhibition of wooden toys, which were designed to provide children with faithful copies of the wonders of technical progress (an automobile, an aeroplane, a factory).

Jaroslav Halada

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