The Pilgrim

Idea study - The Pilgrim, 2013

Expected material: bronze, stainless steel, base - black polished granite, foundation concrete

Estimated size: 6 x 5 x 7 m (h x w x d)

What

A figure of a walking man who is connected to the black disc circles on the ground through branching roots and braid. The braid turns into a pilgrim’s staff.

How

Amodeled male nude in approximately life size. Figure cast from patinated bronze. The root parts are either also made of bronze, or a combination of bent and welded stainless steel. The base consists of nine circular slabs of black polished granite. Everything is anchored in the foundation concrete.

Why

Awalking pilgrim, a person traveling through the landscape – through life, through all the dangers and events of life. He goes through the world and can’t just avoid touching the dark places. The nine dark circles can be both a symbol of wandering through the universe, but also a kind of paraphrase of Dante’s wanderings.

Nymphae

Nymphae Project, 2013

Assumed technique: bronze in combination with stainless steel (eye inlay), anchoring into the foundation concrete or into a stone (polished) slab

Estimated size: length of the figure 3 - 4 m

Ideologically – a compositional study of a mythological or fairy-tale creature. The composition is inspired by the yoga pose (Majúra asana – peacock).

Modification of the lobby of Činoherní klub

Modification of the lobby of Činoherní klub, 2003-2010

2003 – sculptural sculpture in front of the niche
2010 – staircase, re-design of the bar and stools

Lobby of the Drama Club

Sculptures in front of a niche in the vestibule of the Drama Club in Prague.

The project is based on the original intention to complete the space in front of the empty niche in the Drama Club in Prague.

The founders of the Drama Club

At the beginning, the idea was to create three figurative portraits of the founders of the Drama Club – director Ladislav Smoček, dramaturg Jaroslav Vostrý and director and actor Jan Kačer. However, this original plan was not implemented. Only a few sketches and one schematic model were created.

Tragicomedy

Subsequently, two other proposals were created with the theme of “tragi-comedy”.

What

a pair of statues – sculptures – of a tragicomic dialogue, either as part of a stair railing or as a statue in a niche, or in front of the alcove at the entrance in the theater vestibule.

How

plastic casting (polyurethane, epoxy, polyester) fixed into the railing, which is either left original or made completely new in a combination of wood – metal, or wood – metal – polyurethane (acrylate). In the case of placement near a niche – anchoring one statue in the ceiling and the other statue in the floor using studs (anchors).

Why

what-if dialogue is the most typical and perhaps the most basic theatrical expression. Use a similar motif in both cases. In the case of the niche, statues standing, seated on the railing. The gesture of (forcing) a smile draws into the problem the tension between tragedy and comedy. Compared to the classic motif of rising and falling (down to the ground), which is used in the design of the sculptures in the niche, here it is more about the communication of these two elements and a greater degree of irony. A piece of both tragic and comic in each of the two characters. The motif also reflects the tragicomic tone of most plays of this theater. One of the functions of the seated variant of the sculpture would be to cover the dressing room, or rather the hangers with clothes during performances. The sculptures would create a welcome motif for the arriving audience and a quiet companionship for the dressers, ushers and other staff. Although a pair, they would form a complementary but independent whole, and the gestures would be replaced by the beam of light-bearers of earlier theaters. A “disgustingly” flesh-colored artificial plastic would inspire the urge to touch and “touch” the figure’s surface. After all, even cold, stone or bronze statues of saints are often rubbed and smoothed to a yellowed, stubby shape. The sculpture will get its aura through a number of touches, as well as manual sanding.
In 2003, a version of the standing figures was finally realized at the alcove in the theater vestibule.

Staircase modification project - the stair railing:

The original sculpture follows the long-term intention of the theater management to adjust the railing of the theater staircase. The original project for the reconstruction of the theater vestibule was prepared by Ing. arch. Doubner, who invited me to cooperate, which resulted in the realization of the “Tragikomedy” sculpture. In 2010, I am with MgA. Michal Šmeral prepared several proposals for modifying the stair railing. In the same year, the final implementation took place. At the same time as the handrail designs, my colleague and I continued with the modification project – re-design of the bar counter and designs for bar stools.

the founders
tragicomedy
stair railing
bar
bar stools

Rusted surface version

Stainless steel version

Little Ducks Project

Little Ducks Project, 2006

Supposed material: polystyrene, polyester, steel cable

Estimated size: length approx. 1 - 2 m

What

Ducklings on the surface of the pond.

How

Polyester cast of a modeled vagina in a larger than life scale – length about one meter. Styrofoam float inside. The surface is polished and sprayed with body pink or yellow paint (it draws more attention to the connection with a children’s toy). The whole object is anchored to the bottom of the pond using a rope and a weight (a boulder). Estimated number three. Installation done with the help of one assisting person in one day.

Why

An ironic transfer of the “naming” of female nature to a child’s water toy. At the same time, a kind of inspiration from symbolist images of water washcloths from the 19th century – but with an emphasis on the emphasis on erotic detail. A gradual overgrowth of algae and a gradual connection with nature is expected.

The Levitation III Project

Project Levitation III, 2004

3D scan of the modeled statue

What?

A figure of a meditating woman in a yoga position, touching the ground at only three points – the little finger of one feet and the middle of the left and right hands. Under the figure there is a free space into which you can look (estimated height 2–4 m).

How?

A larger-than-life figure modeled on a steel-wooden structure. It is then shaped and cast from laminate. For its size, the figure is assembled from parts that are finally assembled into a single whole (bolted construction). The color is dark black or white, the eyes are also made of laminate or glass. The structure is anchored with screws into the concrete foundation (it is not a condition due to its size).

Why?

A statue standing in the green or, conversely, in an industrial or panel building, where it will allow local children crawl through the whole body and get to places where they can get a sense of security. “Floating” Woman – a relaxed figure in a position based on ancient Indian yoga – in the position of exhalation. Exhalation position – release – contrast aspiration – expansion. The sensual meaning turns into the meaning of motherhood, tenderness and protection. The opening of the door creating a gap above the floor, here symbolized by the space under the statue. The phenomenon of relief and tension expressed by the space under the object can be described by a metaphor of ajar doors, creating here a small gap between the statue and the floor. Door slightly open challenging to reveal the personal and mysterious dimensions of the next world. Gap – the space under the statue – almost imperceptible touch – represents the personal tension between the figure and the ground on which “everything stands” (over which is “floating”).

The original project, which preceded the later proposal from 2008, when it was already created as part of a public competition for the pre-station area in Ostrava-Svinov. This design won the public art competition and was implemented in 2009–2010.