Josef Svoboda
Lanterna Magika, Expo 58 (Brussels), 1958
Multi-genre Theatre Performance
Directors: Alfred Radok, Vladimir Svitacek, Jan Rohac Starring: Zdeňka Prochazkova, Sylva Danickova , Valentina Thielova Dancers: Jarmila Mansingrova, Naďa Blazzickova, Yvetta Peskova, Eva Poslusna, Miroslav Kura, Vlastimil Jilek and others Co-screenwriter: Milo Forman
Premiere: 9th of May, 1958, the World Exhibition EXPO ‘58, Brussels, Belgium Premiere in Czechoslovakia: 9th of May, 1959, Adria Palace, Prague
Laterna Magika was originally created for the World Exhibition EXPO ‘58 (also known as the Brussels World’s Fair - first major World’s Fair after World War II). The theatrical project combined dance, film and black light theatre. The official goal of the project was to introduce life in Czechoslovakia from the 1950s in an approachable and attractive way. The performance became a smash hit at the World Exhibition. Before the exhibition was over, 14 states had asked for the license to it, for at least a guest performance. The program consisted of several different parts, which helped to develop a relationship between the projected film and the live acting.
In the first performance there were thirteen short scenes: Konference (Conference), Cimbalovy koncert (Cymbalo Concert), Tanecni intermezzo (Dance intermezzo), Inspirace (Inspiration), Žive sklo (Live glass), Praha (Prague), Symfonieta (Symphony), Československo (Czechoslovakia), Slovenske lidove pisne (Slovak Folk Songs), SĽUK - Slovensky ľudovy umelecky kolektiv (Slovak Artistic Folk Group), Deti (Children), Jan Amos Komensky (Jan Amos Komensky), and Finale (Finale). The program characterized life in Czechoslovakia with a focus on the nation’s unique qualities, and related to Czechoslovak history. To make the performance entertaining and educational at the same time, the informative parts were followed by the creative ones. The film was not merely projected but was mixed with action of the theatrical scene. Laterna Magika deserved all of its success at the World Exhibition.
Polyekran, 1958
10 min multimedia show, Pavillion of Czechoslovakia, Brussels, Belgium
Josef Svoboda devised this 10 minute show for the 1958 World Fair (Expo) in Brussels with Emil Radok. It was what we would now call a multimedia show or even a video installation because of it's simulaneous showing of multiple images on multiple screens with syncronised sound. The word is a compound word of the Greek poly (more) and the French ecran (screen).Allegedly 8 automated slide projectors and 7 filmprojectors where used to cover the screens of various sizes, and which were angled in various ways.It involved no actors thus it cannot be called theater, but it was a remarkable achievement in both technological terms and in terms of live entertainment as it was a completly new format.
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The exposition "One Day in Czechoslovakia" was designed by Jindřich Santar who cooperated with artists Jiří Trnka, Antonín Kybal, Stanislav Libenský and Jan Kotík. The team's artistic freedom, so rare in the hard-line communist regime of the 1950s, was ensured by the government committee for exhibitions chairman František Kahuda. He supported the famous Laterna Magika show, as well as Josef Svoboda's technically unique Polyekran. The Czechoslovak pavilion was visited by 6 million people and was officially awarded the best pavilion of the Expo 58.
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Josef Svoboda (1920-2002), Czech scenographer, was a precursor to on-stage use of leading techniques in lighting, electronics, image projection and scene mechanics, but always giving priority to artistic expression. He considered light as a fundamental element of scenography and invented a system of low-voltage footlights for the stage, called "Svoboda".
Trained in carpentry and interior architecture, he completed his first scenography in 1943 and in 1945 he was working in the Prague Opera house. In 1958 he collaborated with the producer Alfred Radok on the show Lanterna Magika, for which he developed the polyekran and won the grand prize and the Universal Exposition in Brussels. This show would give his name to the famous Prague theatre which he became artistic director of and which was integrated into the National Theatre in 1970.
Josef Svoboda created nearly 700 scenographies throughout the world and received several prizes and distinctions. His work synthesized art and the most advanced technologies and scientific research of his time. During his career, Svoboda introduced a number of technological innovations in lighting and stage kinetics and promoted the use of special materials and techniques. He ceaselessly worked on combining audiovisual technologies and theatre.













