While wandering around Prague, you may encounter strange statues that catch your attention. Most likely, their author is the Czech artist, sculptor, and recessionist David Cerny, creator of various controversial and provocative sculptures.
These bizarre pieces may not be to your taste, but they are certainly not dull and can provide an amusing distraction. If you want to explore modern art in Prague, there is no better way than to follow in the footsteps of David Cerny's sculptures.
Now, what are they and where can you find them? Let's have a look!
Babies on Kampa island
Three bronze statues of giant babies crawling on the city's Kampa Island, are located on a spot in front of the Kampa Museum.
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MY TIP: I saw many parents sitting their children on one of the statues and taking pictures. If you have a kid with you who isn't just scared, be sure to try this activity too!
St Wenceslas riding on dead horse
Statue of King Wenceslas, the Czech Republic's patron saint, riding a dead horse in the Lucerna arcade in Prague's New Town.
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Babies on Zizkov TV tower
Children climbing up the Zizkov TV tower. These are similar to babies camping on Kampa island.
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Hanging man
As you wander down Husova Street in the very center of Prague, don't forget to look up. Somewhere between the houses, there is a man hanging on to a pole. You will no longer be perplexed once you hear that the obscure sculpture was created by David Cerny!
The statue is meant to represent Sigmund Freud looking at life below. He casually holds himself with one hand to keep from falling, while the other is tucked in his pocket. The official title of this work is Visec.
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Pissing dudes
Interesting piece by two dudes pissing on the Czech Republic. Not everyone can stand this work! But hey, according to the author of this pee fountain, it should be a depiction typical for Czech dialogue in politics, where one tries to outsmart the other or assert himself at his expense.
The pissing men are found in Lesser Town, in front of the Kafka museum.
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Rotating head of Franz Kafka
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MY TIP: David Cerny offers the possibility to book a tour of his sculptures in Prague on his website. Check it out here.
David Cerny's sculptures outside Prague
How lucky I am to live in Liberec, a city only an hour away from Prague. We currently (2022) have two works by David Cerny in Liberec; one is here permanently; the other is a traveling sculpture.
Bus stop with giant's banquet
It is basically a bus shelter in the shape of a set table. The objects on the table refer to symbols reminiscent of the Czech-German-Jewish past of Liberec. Among them is, for example, the head of Konrad Henlein, who served in Liberec during the Second World War as a commissioner appointed by Adolf Hitler.
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Quo vadis, trabant car on legs
Remembrance of the post-revolutionary years, when communism collapsed in East Germany in 1989. The Trabant was an iconic, cheap German car, often seen here in the Czech Republic as well. The Trabant in Cerny's work is meant to represent the citizens of East Germany from the former communist bloc, walking towards a better life in the western, democratic part of Germany.
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