House Number 98

Abstract

The Great depression in 1930’ relates to miller’s family and all employees of the watermill as well as sawmill. However, they bore these times courageously. “My father recalled how difficult it was to keep the work for his employees. He was very glad he did not dismiss anyone.” In the year right before the beginning of war the watermill accommodated soldiers. First of all it was an army cyclist unit. “Seargant always came into our home to listen to news. New soldiers arrived after their departure.” At the end of war the surroundings of the city swarmed with partisans. Jaruška recalls several Germen to be shot and she observed how these bodies were carried on hay wagon to be buried near bridge. Germen reached the city after several weeks. They forced all men to town square while searching their houses. In case they found anything suspicious they were ready to shot. One workman who was a member of a partisan group came to my mother and said: “I cannot go there, I really can’t. So I’m telling you I’m going to the third floor of the mill and I will squeeze myself into storage container.” So my mother knew and when they came they searched everywhere. My mother told me that after the workman informed her about his hiding place she went to bedroom and started to pray. War year passed away and the watermill became a subject of nationalization. Jaruska remembers the new head of the mill as a very kind and good person. However, years of communist management left a big scare on the mill. It was rebuilt into storage unit. All equipment and furnishing was replaced with new ones. So the years of insensitive and poor usage of the watermill began. Restoration of the mill after its restitution to its former owners is going to be a challenge for future generations none of which remember events that happened there. This thesis aims to reflect historical events concerning building of arictocratic mill that is located in Stráž nad Nežárkou as well as to reflect experience of its residents. Creation of installations themselves was preceded by documentary work including mapping of the place and of a personal story of Jaroslava Válková who grew up in the mill and her family has been related with the house. I have decided to focus the author’s reflection on a relationship between a human and a house. Further, I have decided to shift the relationship into a type of parable based on previous documentary work. Three installations were created directly in the mill. The house is a reflection of myself. House as an unstable construct. House as a personal construct