Josef Koudelka’s Ruins: A timeless echo of civilizations

Photo exhibition in u(p)m - Uměleckoprůmyslové museum in Prague

Date: 04. 12. 2024 - 30. 03. 2025
Place: Uměleckoprůmyslové museum
Other links: Josef Koudelka artist site
Our rating: 🞲🞲🞲 (3/3) — EXCELLENT

A few shots from the installation are below.

Josef Koudelka - Ruins Libya, Apollonia in Cyrenaica, 2007. Eastern basilica. Its tall columns, topped with reused capitals, are made of Cipollino marble. 5th-6th century CE.

Review

Josef Koudelka, a name that resonates as a virtuoso of the photographic lens and a chronicler of society’s deepest tales, has once again entranced the art world with his evocative new exhibition, “Ruins”. Housed amidst the historic splendor of the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague until March 30, 2025, this collection unfolds as a mesmerizing visual soliloquy to ancient ruins that dot the shimmering Mediterranean landscape.

Koudelka’s “Ruins” transcends mere documentation of decay; it is an introspective odyssey into the corridors of time, memory, and the endless cycle of rise and fall that defines civilizations. Through his signature panoramic black and white photographs, he transforms weathered, crumbling structures into majestic relics that whisper the long-forgotten stories of empires gone by. Each weathered stone and eroded pillar seems to murmur secrets of passion, loss, and triumph, evoking a poignant melancholy that underscores the transient nature of human achievement.

The exhibition boasts 40 large-format photographs, some stretching nearly 3 meters in length, that command the entire gallery space with their powerful presence. These vast images encourage viewers to stand before them, to absorb the haunting atmosphere and to imagine the countless lives once intertwined with these silent monuments. Interspersed among these towering prints, smaller works are artfully arranged on ‘ruin-like’ boxes, their deliberate placement evoking the charm and irregularity of the ancient remnants they emulate, and inviting an intimate dialogue between observer and history.

Beyond the details of the structures themselves, Koudelka’s discerning eye captures the surrounding landscapes with equal reverence. The stark, rugged beauty of the Mediterranean terrain unfolds in his frames—a barren yet breathtaking expanse where nature reclaims its territory in quiet dignity. In these images, the absence of human figures is palpable, allowing the ruins to cast their serene, unspoken narratives. Each frame becomes a silent testament to the enduring strength and eventual decay of what man once built.

Ruins is far more than a photographic collection. It is an immersive journey through the annals of time and space. With masterful interplay of light and shadow, meticulous attention to even the smallest detail, and an ability to seize the profound essence of each locale, Koudelka constructs an experience that is as unforgettable as it is thought-provoking. Each image is a reminder of the inexorable march of time, the fleeting nature of human endeavors, and the resilient legacy of creative expression.

In an era characterized by rapid transformation and global uncertainty, Ruins offers a soul-stirring meditation on impermanence and the imperative to safeguard our cultural heritage. It invites us to pause, reflect on our fleeting existence within the vast tapestry of history, and to honor the legacy of those who walked these ancient pathways before us.

For connoisseurs of photography, history, or anyone moved by the introspective contemplation of the human spirit, Ruins is an exhibition that promises both aesthetic beauty and an exploration of our shared past—a timeless echo of civilizations etched in stone and memory.

After the main exhibition there is a room where you can sit down and go through all the books by Josef Koudelka. You can also buy the new Ruins and some other books in the museum shop.

Josef Koudelka - Ruins