Name: David Cerny's 'Bulgaria toilet art' covered by Czech government

Date: 2006-present

Location: Europe

SubjectPolitical/Economic/Social Opinion

MediumSculpture


image description
Artist: David Cerny and two associates

Confronting Bodies: Bulgarian Government

Date of Action: January 2009

Specific Location: Brussels, European Council building

Description of Artwork: An eight-tonne mosaic resembling a snap-out plastic modelling kit, showing Bulgaria as a series of squat toilets. This is part of an installation called Entropa, commissioned by the Czech Republic, which lampoons stereotypes of the EU's 27 members.



Description of Incident: Entropa, commissioned by the Czech Republic to adorn EU headquarters in Brussels, has caused a sensation, and some embarrassment, across Europe. The work lampoons stereotypes of the EU's 27 members - David Cerny's depiction of Bulgaria was that of several squat toilets. Bulgaria issued a formal protest.



Results of Incident: The Czech government and the artist apologized and shrouded the artwork in a black sheet. The artwork is expected to remain on show in the lobby of the European Council building until July - for the duration of the Czech EU presidency.



Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7840187.stm

Submitted By: Teresa Koberstein, NCAC


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