test post for Yusuf

Top 5 David Černy public artworks in Prague

David Černy is now uniquely (in)famous for his staggeringly controversial art installation 'Entropa,' intended by the Czech government to commemorate their country's inaugural rotation into the EU presidency. The artwork was supposed to be created by a 27-artist commission, one each from the EU member countries, in order to mitigate the strongly euroskeptic stance of Czech President Vaclav Klaus. Unfortunately for everyone involved, they let Černy work unsupervised.

The finished product takes a pot-shot at every country in the EU, including the Czech Republic, but the installation isn't actually in the Czech Republic -- it's in Brussels. Still, for those looking to familiarize themselves with the work of Europe's new most talked about artist, there's no better place than Prague. Several of his most interesting sculptures and public art projects are scattered through the bohemian capital, but you won't find them on the free tourist maps at the airport. Rather, try this guide when making a walking tour of the top Černy spots of Prague:

Stop #1: "Man Hanging Out"
Černy created “Man Hanging Out” in response to the question: “What role will the intellectual play in the new millennium?” The jarring image of a man resembling Sigmund Freud hanging by one hand above a busy intersection while the other hand remains casually in his pocket is not easy to forget. Standing beneath the statue, it's hard not to feel anxious, as if at any moment the man will let go. Of course, he has hung on through tours around Europe as well as Chicago, USA, so it's not likely he'll be dropping anytime soon. Click on the map marker for a picture, as well as further notes.


View Larger Map

Stop #2: "Pissing pool"
One of Černy's more controversial pieces of public art, this sculpture features two animatronic men standing in a pool shaped like the Czech Republic, which is full of water. The water is being constantly...replenished by the men, which rotate and swivel their various parts to "spell out" famous quotes from Czech historical figures. The kicker? You can send an SMS to the number printed on the statue's base to cause the two figures to interrupt their charade in order to spell out your message. Marriage proposal, anyone?


View Larger Map

Stop #3: "Pink Tank"
This tank has a long history, but most recently it has been nearly sunk underground by the artist. The white stripe on the front end -- the only part visible above the ground -- mimics the white invasion stripe of the Soviet tanks at the beginning of the Cold War. You can see the humbled war machine by taking a tram to Švandovo divadlo‎ and snooping around.


View Larger Map

Stop #4: MeetFactory
More than just a venue for Černy's uniquely unsettling dropping car sculptures, the MeetFactory also hosts a huge chunk of Prague's best underground/indie music concerts. It's worth a trip in the daytime, though, even if it is somewhat off the beaten path as far as Prague sightseeing goes. Of course, maybe that's only fitting...


View Larger Map

Stop #5: TV Tower Babies
Finally, the big momma of Černy art in Prague. The TV Tower's babies have become an iconic part of Prague's contemporary self-image. Check prague.tv's logo for proof. The babies were installed by the artist on the TV Tower installed by the Soviets during the Cold War, which was used to jam electronic broadcasts between East and West. More than any other installation, the tower babies represent the radical shift in Czech culture from pre- and post-Soviet eras. And the best part is, you can see it from anywhere in the city, so there's no need to travel. Take that, Prague Castle!


View Larger Map

Of course, that's not the full extent of Černy's public artwork. But if I told you where to find everything, that would be taking the fun of discovery away from you. And don't limit your Černy search to Prague -- Liberec, for example, is home to one of the most interesting bus stops outside of Salvador Dali's imagination...