Minimalism: Market economy, a photo from Jihomoravsky, Moravia

Photographer's Note

Maybe this contains too many details and too much of a message to be really minimalistic, but it's actually a very simple photo.

I saw this red sign above a small "shop on the corner" in Brno, Czech Republic. Looking at the bright sign I noticed the stone ornaments that must have been from the days of Communist rule on the wall above.

I thought it was rather funny to see an expression of a regime propagating a planned economy remaining many years after everyone had said "Okay" to the capitalist market.

I know it's a coincidence, but I still think it's funny.

The map coordinates 49.19727 16.60739 will take you here.

This may possibly look better in a new tab.

ikeharel, Fis2, ChrisJ, aliabazari, jean113, pierrefonds, Royaldevon, mcmtanyel, PaulVDV, COSTANTINO, adramad heeft deze opmerking als nuttig gemarkeerd

Critiques | Translate

pajaran (115805) 2022-02-20 0:28

Pozdrav.

Lep pogled, dobar tekst ...
Lepa oznaka marketa i reljef na fasadi, dobro pokazano sa lepim bojama i kontrastom.
Dobar rad, lepa fotografija.

Zelim vam lep dan za odmor, sve najbolje.
Paja

ikeharel (113273) 2022-02-20 0:37

Hello Gert,
The red OKAY sign looks as a strong "saying", teasing the older era sign above. The Commu era sign can't be removed, so stayed there to remind that times.
Have a nice sunday,
Ike

Fis2 (170669) 2022-02-20 0:48

Witaj Ger my neighbour today :)!
Interesting shot, the red sign and the communist symbol are impressive.
Well noticed.
Good POV and colors.
Nice presentation.
Have a nice sunday.
Krzysztof

ChrisJ (171818) 2022-02-20 1:00

Hi Gert

I spent a day in Brno on business trying to extend a work visa only to be told I would have to apply from outside Czech Republic in Bratislava, so no photos of this town from me, unfortunately. I liked what I saw though. A nice minimalist shot with good sharpness. The engraving in the stone appears to date from the Soviet Union occupation days 1968-89. Tfs!

aliabazari (22099) 2022-02-20 1:57

Hello Gert
Beautiful view of this color painting. Good combination with stone carving on top of it. Clarity and exposure are well done. Reminiscent of the tumultuous communist era. Thanks for sharing

Silvio1953 (221493) 2022-02-20 4:31

Ciao Gert, great contrast between stone ornament and writing, splendid sharpness, fine details and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

jean113 (27819) 2022-02-20 9:07

Hello Gert, quite a contrast between the two parts of the shot. The sign representing communism carved in stone, shows that they were expecting it to last for a very long time.
The okay sign immediately catches the eyes, the word and the bright red dominating the frame.
Yes, it is minimalist, but what a lot it tells us.
Kind regards, Jean.

jmdias (115072) 2022-02-20 9:11

gert

nice they preserved the carvings, a sign of the history. beautiful use of elements in this compo.
this made me remember my grandfather who ever said: I saw two revolutions, two world wars, dozens of governments, I lived under monarquie and republic, I lived under a dictatorship and a democratic government, under the power of the right and the left politicians, religious governments or against religion, and I can say the things ever come to the same point where they were.

take care

jorge

pierrefonds (114371) 2022-02-20 9:43

Hi Gert,

I agree with it is a minimalist composition. The point of view is showing the details of the OKAY market sign and of the crest on the wall. The light is giving good colors output. Have a nice day.

Pierre

lousat (139198) 2022-02-20 11:56

HI Gert,in fact this could be a great advertisement for the transition from communism to the free market, you really had a clinical and very careful eye to grasp the details of the genre, a sign of the times but still very current in these days of political crisis between Russia and Ukraine. Have a nice week and thanks,Luciano

mcmtanyel (68421) 2022-02-20 12:53

Hello Gert,
Nice catch! However, I must confess that the sign of the defeated order is classier than the sign of the new order.
Regards,
MT

Royaldevon (85862) 2022-02-20 13:05

Hello Gert,

Studying your photograph makes us realise that the two rectangles, juxtaposed, for impact, relay conflicting messages. One is red and bold and expressive, inviting customers in, and it’s okay to freely choose whatever is on offer, whilst the other is a sign that has been tightly crafted, a compact sign that suggests obey the system, follow the state rules!
Well spotted!

My warm regards,
Bev 😊

PaulVDV (62846) 2022-02-20 14:35

Hello Gert,
Frankly, I had a different idea of what a minimalist photo would be, but I probably misjudged it.
I do like the contrast between the hammer and the wood mallet that refer to the communist era and the influence of the free market through the English language.
Best regards, Paul

ifege (47993) 2022-02-20 19:57

Hi Gert
Forget the minimalism for this one - the interest is in the sign and the old soviet symbol. A good touch of irony.
cheers
Ian

COSTANTINO (116405) 2022-02-20 22:10

Hello dear friend and have a nice new week
I red carefully your notes and
thought about this photo
and I agree with you...
I always respect your thoughts
regards
Costantino

emka (158058) 2022-02-21 0:46

Hello Gert, I am not so enthusiastic about minimalistic photos, but I like this one very much. This small stone ornament with sickle and hammer is modest but it reminds me of the old times. I was in Czechoslovakia for the first time in 1956 and for many years it was the only opportunity to go abroad.
I was in Brno something like 50 years ago. We went there by car - it was a white Skoda. We left the car somewhere but forgot the place and couldn't find it for a long time. All we remembered was that the militiaman stood on the corner! But all ended well. Attractive colours.
Have a nice new week

MAlgo

Tue (92312) 2022-02-21 8:38

Hej Gert,
God minimalism igen, men denne gang fortæller billedet også en del af Tjekkiets historie med dette sammenstød mellem de gamle kommunistiske dage og den nyere tid med det store, røde reklameskilt. Godt set og fanget.
Lars

kasianowak (17676) 2022-02-21 12:10

Hi Gert
Well spotted! Not only you have this eye catching sign both for graphic compsition and vivid colour but, as you say, the juxtaposition of the "okay market" and the "hammer and wassaname" above it is really funny. Also, it's a bit strange to see it in Chechia in 2015 as in Poland you would be hard-pushed to find this kind of thing. Or that's at least my perception, Malgo will probably correct me! ;-)
Best wishes
Kasia

adramad (72940) 2022-02-24 10:52

Hi Gert.
A curious photo with the great contrast that the two messages of the image offer us, above a message of communism in that sculpted image, below the intense red of the poster invites the consumption of capitalism, two worlds facing each other.
Good sharpness, lighting and color.
Nice job. I like it.
You have a good day. Very best regards.
Luis.