One of the most photographed artefacts at the RE:PUBLIKA festival, the gigantic bust of President Masaryk created by Maxim Velčovský, could stay longer in the city, according to Brno mayor Petr Vokřál. Photo credit: Bruno Zalubil
Brno, Jun 19 (BD) – Maxim Velčovský, one of the leading art designers in the Czech Republic, is known for pieces such as his Wellington boot-shaped porcelain vase; a typical water-cooler paper cup made from porcelain; and most recently, his four-meter statue of the first Czechoslovak president Tomáš Masaryk, displayed at the Brno Exhibition Center as part of the RE:PUBLIKA festival. The statue was created from tangled red pipes in the shape of the president’s iconic bust.
“I thought it would be a pity if this very interesting statue left Brno, the city which is closely associated with Masaryk. I will propose to the City Council that Brno should buy the unique ‘monkey bars’ from the author,” Brno mayor Petr Vokřál posted on his Facebook page.
Vokřál added that he would like the citizens to decide democratically on the location for the statue, but didn’t specify what method could be used for the public vote. “After that, the citizens of Brno will decide on where to place the statue permanently,” he wrote.
The statue displayed at RE:PUBLIKA was originally presented as a piece of art and entertainment for children, as it resembles ‘monkey bars’. One of the first photos of the statue was of Velčovský hanging from it. However, the organizers subsequently prohibited visitors from playing on the unusual artwork for security reasons.
Get the news first! Subscribe to our daily newsletter here. Top stories of the day in your mailbox every morning.
