In Prague, David Černý's Entropa is on display

Prague - The sculpture Entropa, which may have made even those uninterested in politics aware of the Czech EU presidency, has been on display in Prague since today. Sculptor David Černý created it at the request of the government of Mirek Topolánek, which initiated the presidency. However, the final form of the work surprised not only the Czech ministers at the time but also triggered diplomatic disputes. People can view Entropa at the DOX Center for Contemporary Art until early next year.
    "Entropa is here because we believe that it is an expression of an artist that is so current that it could hardly be more up-to-date. And DOX is meant to be a place where people can form their own opinions,” said the center's director Leoš Válka. This is also related to the fact that gallery visitors can vote on-site whether they like Entropa or not.
    Černý, on the other hand, is pleased that he was able to help raise the profile of this gallery with his "eight-ton piece." The sculpture was originally supposed to be installed on the building of the National Theatre, but according to the artist, its management was frightened by the controversy of the sculpture. Černý is not afraid of negative reactions; he dismissed journalists' concerns that someone might try to defame the sculpture, for example, by throwing eggs, with the words: "Eggs are thrown at Paroubek, right?"
    Former President Václav Havel also came to see Entropa at DOX. "Modern, postmodern, and post-postmodern art is about shocking and mystifying. I will now reveal another mystification: Entropa was not made by David Černý; it was created by the two of us in an effort to damage the government, Jiří Paroubek and myself,” he said at the vernissage.
    Entropa generated numerous reactions in Brussels, ranging from enthusiasm to resistance, with politicians and even some diplomats officially protesting against it. However, according to some commentators, it became the most visible symbol of the Czech EU presidency. Entropa pokes fun at the stereotypes associated with individual countries of the EU27. For example, the representation of Bulgaria, which takes the form of a Turkish toilet, caused a diplomatic rift between Prague and Sofia. The Czech Republic then conceded to Bulgaria and covered part of the sculpture. In Prague, it will obviously be displayed uncovered.
    Along with the large sculpture, which is displayed in the courtyard of DOX, the exhibition includes reflections on the events surrounding its unveiling as reported by the media. An updated version of David Černý's catalog "Promrdané roky III," written by one of the co-authors of Entropa, art historian Tomáš Pospiszyl, is also being released for the exhibition.
    The idea of exhibiting Entropa in Prague was considered soon after its unveiling in Brussels when it became clear that it was starting to provoke numerous and conflicting responses. The fact that it could be exhibited in the Czech Republic before the end of the presidency led to its premature removal from Brussels. The author decided on this in protest against the way the government of Mirek Topolánek was dismissed.
    The future of the large sculpture depends on whether a buyer can be found. Černý did not disclose the price; earlier he stated that the costs of its production were over ten million crowns.
    Černý originally received money from the Czech government to create the work for Brussels. After the government found out that the work was not created by 27 European artists as Černý had originally stated, but only by him and a few collaborators, the author returned the money.
    Entrance to the center for contemporary art costs 180 crowns from June 12, which includes admission to four exhibitions currently taking place in the gallery. It is not possible to buy a cheaper ticket just for Entropa.