Brussels, 14/01/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 14 January, the Czech presidency of the Council of the EU found itself the victim of a hoax by a Prague plastics artist, who created a monumental work of art officially commissioned from 27 European artists, with provocative themes (Bulgaria is protesting against the piece of work). The artwork, “Entropa”, hanging in the central courtyard of the Council of Ministers in Brussels, should represent, “Europe seen by artists from the 27 member states of the EU”. In reality, it is the work of a single Czech artist, David Cerny, who invented a whole plethora of fictitious artists with false names and made-up biographies.
The hoax was revealed by the artist, who wanted to know whether Europe was capable of laughing at itself. Cerny apologised to Czech officials for having tricked them but the Czech authorities, however, did not find the joke funny. Vice Prime Minister Alexandr Vondra, in charge of European affairs, explained in a Czech Presidency press release that David Cerny “bears full responsibility for breach of contract conditions and breaking his promise”.
In a press statement, the artist stressed that “grotesque exaggeration and mystification are signs of Czech culture and the creation of false identities is one of the strategies of current arts“. (L.C./transl.rh)