Stará řemesla aneb O činnostech zapomenutých a mizejících – Skopová Kamila (2024)

The new book by the distinctive artist and folklore popularizer Kamila Skopová brings the past to life through a look at traditional crafts that are gradually falling into oblivion today or are often, to our detriment, merely regional exotica of open-air museums. The author's work focuses on capturing and documenting the diverse craft skills that were once a key part of society, but modernization and technological progress have gradually led to their marginalization. The book not only describes but also visually documents various crafts that are no longer commonly practiced. Portraits of professions such as 'ragman', 'shingle maker', 'stonemason', 'blacksmith', 'papermaker', or 'decorator' open a window into past times when these activities were an integral part of everyday life. The book thus examines the significance of crafts not only from the perspective of physical production but also from the viewpoint of the social status of craftsmen and their relationship with the surrounding world. – Published with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic.