Prague - The pendulum by sculptor Vratislav Novák has returned to Letná in Prague after several months, having stood in the place of the former Stalin monument intermittently since 1991. The enormous kinetic sculpture, which belongs to a private owner, underwent repairs for several months. Today, the pendulum moved once again above Prague for a few minutes and after conducting further tests, it should swing permanently again in a few weeks. This was announced today by the spokesperson of the movement Prague for All, Julie Kochová. During the test on the pendulum, a banner was displayed thanking the people who are helping in the fight against the coronavirus.
The object was named Time Machine by the author and was created on the occasion of the General Czechoslovak Exhibition in Prague in 1991. By its placement on the pedestal of the former Stalin monument, it was also meant to symbolize the relentless flow of time and serve as a warning reminder of the past. The machine resembles Mälzel's metronome, and although its mechanical structure is different, it is commonly known as the Metronome. Today, the object is privately owned, managed, and operated by the developer Prague Property Administration.
In 2003, the Metronome was used to promote a referendum on the Czech Republic's accession to the European Union, where its pendulum moved between the words YES and NO. In 2009, it symbolically measured the time of the Czech Republic's presidency of the European Union.
Kochová told ČTK today that Prague initiated the repair of the pendulum in the autumn and offered the owner financial assistance as well. "We feel that the object has great symbolic value,” she stated. According to her, the owner ultimately covered the repair himself.
During today's few-minute test, the civic association 3000 Brave paid tribute to all active citizens and volunteers who are helping others cope with the current coronavirus epidemic. Members of the association held a large banner in front of the pendulum with the inscription People, thank you! and a red heart.
According to the association, the pendulum will swing in a few weeks also as a symbol and a harbinger that the situation in society will return to normal after overcoming the pandemic. They also believe that the activation of civil society could last even after the current situation subsides, which is unprecedented in many ways for modern Czech society.
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