Prague cemetery to become celebrated

Street of buildings in cemetaryOlšany, the biggest cemetery in Prague, although not featured on our Favourites page, is, nevertheless, a place we visit often.  We wrote about it here and Karin has a photo journal here.

Now, according to a recent press release from the Czech News agency it will no longer be known to locals only. The Prague Cemeteries Management wants to attract both locals and tourists by organizing cultural and social events on its 50-hectare premises.

Martin Červený, director, would like picnics and workshops in the Olšany Cemetery, as well as readings from books of authors who are buried here. He suggested, “Outside the cemetery gate, a café could serve up black coffee and a popular Czech dessert with whipped cream called “rakvička,” or small coffin.”

Most decorated grave“We would like to present Olšany Cemetery as a cultural site that is open to the living,” Červený said.  “Such is progress,” I say.  What say you?  Please comment.

David Cerny Update

David Cerny's Purple FingerDavid Cerny made the news in October but as it was more a political statement than art I did not post about it then.  This sculpture is anchored in the Vltava River and pointed toward Prague Castle, the seat of Czech President Milos Zeman.

Friday Karin and I dropped by the private gallery exhibition of some of Cerny’s current work.  As always it was quite interesting.  Though a couple of the better pieces are too explicit to be shown on this family friendly site.

The London bus is a miniature of the one I previously wrote about.  The other pieces shown represent his current style of embedding anything and everything in clear resin that is shaped to characterize people, body parts and other objects. Example detail in bottom photo.

David Cerny exhibition

Detail of Cerny resin art

Although displayed in a commercial gallery there were no prices on any of the pieces and we didn’t ask.  Any guesses?

David Cerny in London

Cerny art in London, busAs I have written before, I was rather surprised to find that David Cerny is not world-famous since one sees his work everywhere in Prague. However, his fame may be in the ascent as he now has a very visible installation in London during the Olympics.

 

London bus doing push-up by David CernyHis work, titled London Booster, takes the London symbol of the red double-decker bus and makes it do push-ups like any athlete.  It is part of a major exhibition promoting all things Czech at the Business Design Centre in the Borough of Islington.  Also included are large screen projections, fantastic music, futuristic design, celebrations with athletes, exhibitions and more.

All Czech mates in or near London should check it out.

Kampa Island

This morning I read again Karin’s account of our visit to Kampa Island.  Once again I was impressed with the quality of her photos, the appropriateness of her researched comments and with her evocative imagination.  She is a most excellent personal tour guide.  In relation to the caption of the last photo, I am indeed a lucky man.