Brno lacks a statue by a prominent foreign artist, says the expert

Brno - Brno lacks a statue by some renowned foreign artist. Otherwise, the city supports sculptural art beyond the usual standards, although not all works immediately appeal to the general public. The artistic value of the sculptures installed by the city of Brno and Masaryk University is guaranteed by the fact that the selection is based on the decisions of expert juries, said Radek Horáček today to ČTK, the main author of the new book Sculptural Brno 1989-2019.

"We know well that even the sculptures of the greatest sculptors may not please the wider public. But Brno can have a clear conscience in the fact that the sculptures are professionally selected and that our descendants will not laugh at us," said Horáček.

The book focuses on the sculptures in the premises of Masaryk University and the artworks from the project Sculptures for Brno, the Brno Art Open festival - Sculptures in the Streets, and also from sculptural symposia. Gentlemen can take the book on a stroll in their jacket pocket, ladies in their handbags.

In the streets of Brno, there are works by renowned Czech sculptors, but according to Horáček, the city would "suit" more works by foreign creators. However, it is not easy to obtain them for Brno. "When the 100th anniversary of Masaryk University was approaching, we aimed for some great work of international significance, but it proved that human and financial limits are still very restrictive in the Czech environment," Horáček stated.

New modern symbols of Brno have already included the equestrian statue of Jošt Moravský by Jaroslav Róna, nicknamed the giraffe due to the long legs of the horse. Horáček opposed the intention of the equestrian statue, as he considered it an archaism. However, according to him, a quality and interesting statue ultimately emerged from the competition.

"I don't support it, but I respect that it works wonderfully, popularizes art, that it is entertaining for people, that the square is no longer boring, a sleepy corner filled with parked cars, but a pleasant spot for a walk," stated Horáček, former director of the House of Art of the City of Brno and head of the Department of Art Education at the Brno Faculty of Education.

Thanks to the municipal project Sculptures for Brno, sculptures commemorating writer Jan Skácel, composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and inventor Thomas Alva Edison have been created. There are plans for works dedicated to architect Adolf Loos, Father Martin Střed, and nun Maria Restituta. The Brno Exhibition Centre will soon unveil a statue of President Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk.