Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TOP SIGHTS
ARTBANKA: MUSEUM OF YOUNG ART
The shabby halls of a decaying 18th-century aristocratic palace make the per-
fect setting for this gallery dedicated to promoting the work of contemporary
Czech and international artists. The entire collection is splendidly provocative,
from the vending machine in the lobby that dispenses graffiti-making supplies to
the huge branded can on the top floor labelled as being full of 'Artist's Shit'.
The gallery supports young Czech and Slovak artists by buying the best of
their work, exhibiting it in the gallery, and also renting it out to prestigious private
and public organisations. There are a few big names, too, including David
Černý, whose imposing installation
Gun
- four huge handguns pointing at each
other - is suspended in the palace courtyard. Some exhibits are genuinely
shocking, including 'fireside rugs' made with the skins of dogs and cats, 'sexy'
underwear fashioned from real rat fur, and naked images of gay Nazis.
The palace was used as office space during the communist era, and the clum-
sily installed 1950s wiring and heating have been left in place as a symbol of the
contempt the authorities had for artistic achievement.
DON'T MISS...
»
David Černý's
Gun
installation
»
Graffiti-supplies vending machine
»
Huge can of 'Artist's Shit'
PRACTICALITIES
»
240 200 207
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Karlova 2
