Fránk's 'Persian Tower' evokes emotions in Litomyšl

tower from the exhibition at the House of Art

Litomyšl (Svitavy) - A seven-meter tall work by architect Zdeněk Fránek, known as the Persian Tower, has risen in the square in Litomyšl. It stands directly opposite the historic house U Rytířů. The work evokes emotions in the city, from admiring glances to derogatory epithets. The tower was built as part of the event Smetana's Visual Art Litomyšl and will remain there until early December. The footprint of the tower is four meters by four meters.
    Last week, workers covered the seven-meter-tall wavy structure with wooden boards, and now stainless steel sheets have been added, which are covered by films. The tower will be ceremonially unveiled on June 14th. Afterwards, the interior will be accessible, and visitors will be able to go up and look around not only at the square but also closely inspect the façade of the house U Rytířů.
    It is precisely the fact that the tower stands right in front of the historic house U Rytířů that evokes emotions. Some residents of the city are looking forward to when the films will disappear and the entire square will be reflected on the tower, while others do not like the tower. "After all, the house U Rytířů is not visible at all, it's big and I don't like it. We'll see if I change my mind when the films are gone," said a 55-year-old man.
    Even when the city began preparing the project for the Persian or also invisible tower, it knew that it would bring conflicting opinions from both residents and visitors to the city. "I know that there is, for example, the argument that the house U Rytířů is not visible. It will be visible, but from a different, special perspective," said Deputy Mayor Vojtěch Stříteský (TOP 09).
    The tower is part of the cycle Intestines of Architecture and is the work of architect Zdeněk Fránek, who is also the author of the New Church in Litomyšl. It will be ceremonially opened on June 14th and will be open until December 2nd. It will be accessible every day from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM.