Provokátor issue 35

Press Release / Provokátor Magazine Issue 35, July/August 2009

28 June 2009, Prague

Culture Clash/Festivals

From a culture that curiously revels in apathy and insignificance comes a strong reminder that when opportunity knocks...thou hast two choices, and only one of those will be worth remembering. This year The Czech Republic’s prodigal son was called upon to voice a statement of the entire E.U., David Černý and his cohorts gave them the sculpturally sarcastic, if not caustically amusing statement; Entropa.

It is Instigator Media Group’s mission to level the playing field via making fun and targeting every aspect of every country's culture. Supporting the selfless / self-centered right of freedom of expression and the burden of enlightenment that comes along with any cognizance.

Currently on display at DOX gallery (and on tour all summer), Provokátor spoke with artist David Černý and DOX co-founder and director Leoš Válka about Entropa, and opportunism.

“It’s a provocateur, it would be difficult to find something more provocative.” Válka notes, answering our query about the sculpture of stereotypes and whether exploitation is a characteristic of Czech culture,  “I’m not sure about opportunistic, I think there is a streak of opportunism in the Czech psyche, and artists are generally opportunists by trade.”
So it’s [the artist] responsibility to seize the moment, “carpe diem”.

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