Zprávy památkové péče 2017, 77(4):442-450

The Sokolovna as a phenomenon of Gesamtkunstwerk

Ivana Láníková

Filozofická fakulta Univerzity Palackého v Olomouci

Sokolovnas, or Sokol houses, create a separate independent group inside the art history debate. The Sokol ideology, which continues on the achievements of the Czech national resurgence, is reflected in the visual forms of Sokolovnas and in the functionality of these very buildings. Through an analysis of various cultural areas (which indicate efforts representing Czech national pride and identity in the second half of 19th century), the author attempts to find common aspects of how this was used by all types of art. We can understand Gesamtkunstwerk (interconnection and cooperation of all kinds of art) as the direct equivalent of the efforts of this period to create a functional narrative unity. The author of this essay tries to explain Gesamtkunstwerk not just as a phenomenon of art history, but also as one of many aspects of creating life, representing the values of society for those times. The entire essay is related to the Miroslav Tyrš, who was not only founder of the Sokol, but also a philosopher, esthetician, and art historian. Miroslav Tyrš, however, also endeavored to enlighten society. With an analysis of Tyrš's theory of convergence law (compared to Wagner's theory of Gesamtkunstwerk), the author of this essay describes how Tyrš influenced the decoration of the Czech National Theatre in comparison to his influence of the visual forms of the first Sokolovnas.

Keywords: Miroslav Tyrš, convergence law, Sokolovna, Gesamtkunstwerk, National Theater

Published: December 1, 2017  Show citation