The equestrian statue according to Kotrba will not be built, the councilors do not like it

Brno - The equestrian statue of Roman King and Moravian Margrave Jošt of Luxembourg (1351 to 1411), as designed for Brno by sculptor Marius Kotrba, will most likely not be created at all. Although city councilors declared the sculptor the winner of the artistic competition on Tuesday and approved a half-million reward for him, they did not commission the actual production of the statue. Today at a press conference, they admitted that they are not fond of Kotrba's design. They will not commission the work in the near future.
    For example, the mayor's deputy Oliver Pospíšil (ČSSD) acknowledged that experts were unanimously enthusiastic about Kotrba's design. However, to laypeople, among whom he counts himself, it seems unsuccessful. He said that as a councilor, he could not vote for something he does not like. According to deputy Daniel Rychnovský (KDU-ČSL), an equestrian statue for ten million crowns is not installed for a few years, but to last for centuries. Everything should be better thought through, he believes. The proposal was also not praised by deputy Martin Ander (Green Party).
    The statue was supposed to be unveiled on October 1, 2010, on the 600th anniversary of Jošt's election as Roman king. The deadline will not be met, the council admitted. Mayor Roman Onderka (ČSSD) does not give up hope for the statue's creation but did not want to anticipate a solution. He said that the art competition was still not pointless and he cannot imagine the city not announcing and rewarding the winner. "That would be disrespecting the work of artists and could lead to a situation in the future where no one would apply," he told ČTK.
    Experts, including the author of the equestrian statue concept for Moravské náměstí, Petr Hrůša, criticize the council's approach. The architect told ČTK that the planned statue cannot try to cater to the audience in a sycophantic way or express a specific sentiment, "because that borders on kitsch." According to him, one cannot rely on feelings of liking and disliking, which advertising and industrial design play on, but whose standards change every three years.
    "They (the councilors) cannot find common ground and believe they will make a mistake. But the mistake is if they go down the path of liking. If the council, composed of different professions, is going to debate whether a brunette or a blonde is prettier, they will never agree," he added.
    Kotrba approached the equestrian statue on a pedestal in a modern way; his work does not resemble Myslbek's Saint Wenceslas in any way. However, according to Hrůša, it fits into the space. The architect emphasized that Moravské náměstí disappears into the nearby park near St. Thomas Church. The statue that is to stand there must therefore be striking and have strength, gesture, and line. According to him, Kotrba's design fulfills this. "Many renowned names tried to please (in the competition), but Kotrba approached it in his own way and with gesture. I believe people will like it," Hrůša said. He praised the proposed proportions, materials, ground setting, and the fact that the sculptor does not pander.
    The Margrave statue would be Kotrba's second on Moravské náměstí. Last year, the sculptor won the competition for the statue of Justice. His man in a crouch lifting a block from the ground will adorn the area in front of the Supreme Administrative Court. Two more statues - Temperance and Wisdom - are to stand on Moravské náměstí. Jošt is supposed to symbolize courage.