English
If you are thinking about planning a trip to Prague there are a few obligatory on every visitor’s agenda, such as:
- The Franz Kafka Museum
- Charles Bridge
- The Castle
- St Vitus Cathedral
- or the Old Jewish Cemetery to name a few.
All these landmarks are part of not only Prague’s tradition but also a symbol of the background of the entire country and there are plenty of other monuments and places throughout the city that are part of the cultural heritage.
However today we would like to focus on someone who marches to his own drum and who also left his mark in various places in Czech capital.
Czech artist David ?erný is widely known for his unconventional, often controversial sculptures. To present a rather extreme contrast to the traditional, conservative art that is widely known of Prague, we highlight some of ?erný ‘s works throughout the city:
St. Wenceslas riding a dead horse that is upside down
If you go to the old shopping arcades at Lucerna Palace look up and you will see a rather strange sculpture of the patron Saint of the Czech state. He sits on a horse and this horse not only seems to be dead, but it is hanging upside down.
The TV Tower in Žižkov
Don’t be alarmed when approaching the building you see babies that seem to be crawling up the tower. The tower already holds a top spot in the ranking of the ugliest buildings in the world and ?erný added his touch by placing crawling alien-like babies with big heads on it.
Do I see two guys peeing on the Czech Republic?!
People show their national pride in different manners. ?erný has a very interesting take on this matter. During your visit to the Franz Kafka Museum you will find the urinating fountain on the museum square. It shoes two men peeing into a structure that is shaped like the republic itself.
What ?erný seeks to express with his works often times remains unclear. It is safe to say that the artist allows open interpretations of his works. When you find cheap Prague accommodation you will have the opportunity see the sculptures live and draw your own conclusions.
