Controversial Sculptures by David Cerny

By Village Mayor • May 8th, 2009 • Category: Architecture, Art, Latest Post, The Best of Village of Joy, Weird

Continuing our article series about the most creative artists in the world this time we present David Cerny from Czech Republic.

Wikipedia: “David Černý (born December 15, 1967 in Prague) is a Czech sculptor whose works can be seen in many locations in Prague. His works tend to be controversial. He gained notoriety in 1991 by painting a Soviet tank pink that served as a war memorial in central Prague. As the Monument to Soviet tank crews was still a national cultural monument at that time, his act of civil disobedience was considered “hooliganism” and he was briefly arrested.”

He also has a very bizarre website http://www.davidcerny.cz/). Well, happy viewing, and of course don’t forget to comment.

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Permanent Installation at FUTURA Gallery Prague

(Image credits: http://www.davidcerny.cz via villageofjoy.com)

(Image credits: http://www.davidcerny.cz via villageofjoy.com)

info: you climb a ladder and stick your head in the sculpture’s arse to see a video of two Czech politicians feeding each other slop to a soundtrack of ‘We are the Champions

year: 2003

material : mixed media

height 5.2 m (17.06 ft)

address: Holečkova 49, Prague 5, Czech Republic

“Nation for Itself Forever” (Narod sobe navzdy)

(Image credits: http://www.davidcerny.cz via villageofjoy.com)

(Image credits: http://www.davidcerny.cz via villageofjoy.com)

year: 2002

height: 10 meters high (32.81 ft) (somehow hard to believe, maybe the statue itself hangs in such height, correct me if I’m wrong)

more: to keep the statue it has been changed more or less due to fear of protests that the project is aimed at National Theater itself.

Two Proposals to Outdoor Metro Tunnel

First proposal

(Image credits: http://www.davidcerny.cz via villageofjoy.com)

Second proposal

(Image credits: http://www.davidcerny.cz via villageofjoy.com)

station: Butovická

info: in this moment the development of the project is very uncertain

Two Peeing Guys (Sculpture)

(Image credits: Chaymation via villageofjoy.com)


(image credits: Irwin via villageofjoy.com)

info: ”The idea is disarmingly simple. Two bronze sculptures pee into their oddly-shaped enclosure.

While they are peeing, the two figures move realistically. An electric mechanism driven by a couple of microprocessors swivels the upper part of the body, while the penis goes up and down. The stream of water writes quotes from famous Prague residents.

Visitor can interrupt them by sending SMS message from mobile phone to a number, displayed next to the sculptures. The living statue then ‘writes’ the text of the message, before carrying on as before.” – Chaymation

year: 2004

height: 210cm (6.89ft)

address: Prague, Czech Republic

Embryo (Installation)

(Image credits: pavel-helge.dk, his website: pavel-helge.dk via villageofjoy.com)

year: 1996

materiál : metal, foam, LED

height: 120 cm (3.94ft)

address: Czech Republic, Prague 1, Namesti U Sv. Anny, close to the Charles bridge in Stare Mesto

Car with Legs (Sculpture)

(image credits: leonbarnard via villageofjoy.com)

Svaty Vaclav (Sculpture)

(Image credits: jp1958 via villageofjoy.com)

Lucerna Palace’s central atrium is dominated by Czech sculptor David Černý’s dead horse ridden by St. Wenceslas. It is supposed to be an ironic twist on the St. Wenceslas statute in the square outside.

address: Wenceslas Square, Prague, Czech Republic

“Hanging out”

(Image credits: Curious Expeditions via villageofjoy.com)

(Image credits ahisgett via villageofjoy.com)

info: this sculpture, more often referred to as the Hanging man was first exhibited at the exhibition “Respekt 97” at the Villa Richter in the Prague’s Lesser Town. Later installed at the Czech Cultural Center in Berlin; Moderna Muset in Stockholm; National Theatre in London; and the Embassy of the Czech Republic in London.

year: 1996.

dimensions: 233 x 60 x 45 cm (7.64 x 1.96 x 1.48 ft)

Zhizhkov TV Tower with Crawling Babies

(Image credits: laura padgett via villageofjoy.com)

(Image credits: CREAMASTER via villageofjoy.com)

Žižkov television tower is the highest tower in the Czech Republic, it was completed in 1992 and hosts an observation point, a restaurant and a TV transmitter.

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    16 Responses to “Controversial Sculptures by David Cerny”

    1. 16
      Andrew Says:

      who makes sculptures os grown men taking wizzes???????//

    2. 15
      udj Says:

      I like the crawling babies at the Kampa Museum – I understand the sculpture this way – babies born with a body to be able to work – but without face – not to speak out – hardly breathe just focus on the work that needs to be done daily

    3. 14
      Berliner Says:

      FYI, the brilliant sculpture of the masturbating golden guy on Narodni Divadlo was never constructed or installed. It was proposed and being developed when members of the board behind the theater shut it down (for fear of losing their jobs, says Cerny).

    4. 13
      casey Says:

      why does everyone think an embryo is disgusting?

    5. 12
      richard Says:

      That gold statue in the Nation for Itself, what the heck is he doing? is he unloading? he couldn’t be. Looks like hes holding a champaigne bottle, but why is he putting it between his leg?

      The two peeing guys, is the water supposed to be blood? the pool is red.

      And the Embryo, disgusting, no other word.

      Then again, an art is an art is an art

    6. 11
      wallyflies Says:

      on the contrary…

      I think “two men peeing” is a better one, given the way it is made. I think Cerny is challanging that very point: You have to get past the absurdity of “two men peeing” to appreciate its composition.

    7. 10
      masyie Says:

      yay.. that was awesome.. but the peeing one is disgusting.. but i adored the designer!!!

    8. 9
      Kirsten Says:

      Love them all. Want to go to Prague to see them.

    9. 8
      Cool Pics Says:

      Loving the car with legs sculpture :)

    10. 7
      Marty Coleman Says:

      Everything art should be. They are beautiful to look at, well made, provokes thought and wonder from the viewer and gives a message from the artist. All combined in a entertaining way.

    11. 6
      JLT Says:

      these are GREAT…. what we need is more humor in the world & a LOT less “P.C.” – - good stuff!

    12. 5
      Pisi Says:

      cool :D

    13. 4
      GoroD Says:

      “Hanging out” and Car with Legs are realy impressive. all the rest is terrible (IMHO)

    14. 3
      alb Says:

      these are fabulous, smart, entertaining,

    15. 2
      fasi Says:

      great but some mens not good

    16. 1
      Looby Says:

      what can i say,i just shocked by them

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