About the collection
Nation Creation examines how monuments, public art, and commemorative sites in the Czech Republic make politics, national identity, and collective memory visible in the built environment. Taken together, these sites are a kind of public narrative, a reflection of what a society chooses to celebrate, mourn, question, or remember, and understand and represent itself.
I have been exploring this idea for a long time, since at least 1996 when I first moved to the Czech Republic. Through my own research and observation, I began to see recurring themes within the Czech commemorative landscape and to consider what they might reveal about Czech national and cultural identity. These are my own interpretive groupings rather than established or official categories. Among them are resistance to oppression and the defense of freedom and democratic values; honoring victims, martyrs, and addressing past wrongs; the prominent place given to artists, writers, musicians, thinkers, educators, and other cultural figures; myths and legends; and a distinctively Czech sense for satire and humor.
All of the contemporary photographs in Nation Creation are my own, taken primarily while I was living in the Czech Republic and exploring its cities, towns, and landscapes and seeking out sites of interest. I no longer live there, but I continue to add to the collection whenever I return and hope to keep expanding it.
Nation Creation is an ongoing research project and work in progress. I continue to add, revise, and reorganize material as the project develops. Because it has evolved over time, some naming conventions, particularly the use of Czech versus English names, are not yet entirely consistent. There is also much more I would like to explore, including who commissioned or initiated individual works; whether they emerged through state, civic, or community action; which figures, events, and themes were commemorated at different moments in history and why; and how those choices have changed over time. This is an entirely personal endeavor. Please forgive loose ends as this is very much a work in progress.
For now, I hope you find this exploration interesting, thought-provoking, and perhaps surprising.
Unless noted otherwise, all photos were taken by the author of this site, Jessica Hejtmanek.