Interview With Pavel Kopp

Pavel’s passion for photography began in 1967, when he was studying film and television technology at the Czech Technical University in Prague. Here he met Anna Fárová, a Czech art historian who specialised in the history of photography, and Josef Sudek, a photographer who commended Pavel on his developing portfolio and remarked that if he took 10,000 more images with his Leica, he would go on to become an elite photographer. Both Anna and Josef served as a great source of inspiration for Pavel, and through memories they continue to do so to this day.

It is clear both through his artwork and when conversing with Pavel that he has always had a soft spot for Italy. This connection also has deep roots, as some of his ancestors travelled from Trento to Bohemia in the 16th century for gold mining.

Pavel relocated to Milan in 1972 for work, and quickly discovered that his enchanting new surroundings were perfect for developing his artistic career. It was during his time in this city that he became acquainted with a group of fellow photographers at the art gallery IL DIAFRAMMA. This network was to serve as the platform for his illustrious artistic career.

In 1975, Pavel’s talent and hard work started to be rewarded and he had the opportunity to hold his first exhibition, Italian Moments, at the Czechoslovak consulate in Milan. Over the following months, he held a few more art events and exhibitions and established partnerships with several people involved in Milan’s artistic scene, but returned to his homeland in 1976.

Here, he continued his passion for street photography in Prague’s cobbled streets. Pavel could not have imagined back then that the pinnacle of his artistic career would come following a decision he made during Christmas 1977 to send a collection of his best work to the actor, writer, and theatre director Miroslav Horníček.

On 10 January 1978, Pavel received Miroslav’s response. It was full of enthusiasm and gratitude, and he joked that he would like not to return the photos. From that day, a close friendship was forged between the two, which later resulted in a collaborative photo-book entitled Chvilky s Itálii (Moments of Italy), a 241-page collection of novellas written by Miroslav, inspired by the scenes depicted in Pavel’s photos. It was published in 1988 and almost 10,000 copies were printed and distributed. In 1983, Pavel staged his first large exhibition in the Czech Republic. It was entitled “Italy is more than a country, it’s a feeling,” and was held at the Small Writer Gallery in Prague. Years later, he had some of his photos from the exhibition published in the book A strange joy in living by Sandro Penna. Pavel’s deep spiritual connection with Italy remained and his return to the bel paese must have been written in the stars, because six years later, following the Velvet Revolution, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs offered him the chance to return in order to find new personnel at the Czech embassy in Italy.

Pavel’s second stint living in Italy lasted four years (1990-94), where he worked as a diplomat at the Czech embassy in Rome. His time there was filled with amusing and interesting anecdotes. He accompanied a long list of Czech politicians and personalities and was once poured a glass of whiskey by the first president of the Czech Republic, Václav Havel. According to Pavel, Havel lifted the glass and said, “Gentlemen, tell me the truth, were you ever served by the president before?” Furthermore, in 1994, Pavel accompanied the president and the poet František Halason on a state visit to the Vatican, where he met Pope John Paul II. On that occasion, he received a medal with the papal number.

In 1992, the Italian version of Chvilky s Itálii was published, and soon after Miroslav travelled to Rome to introduce the book together with Pavel and the famous actress Giulietta Masina.

Since returning from Italy, Pavel can be found wandering the streets of Prague taking photos of people caught up in their daily life, as he’s been doing for the past 53 years. His work is still regularly displayed in various galleries and exhibition venues across the Czech Republic, including his most recent exhibitions at the Italian Culture Institute and Špilberk Castle in Brno.

For more info, visit www.pavelkopp.eu.

Photos for this article were provided by:Pavel Kopp