Artist under fire for nude, soil-throwing performance in front of children

An artist has come under fire for controversially delivering a bizarre performance in front of children, in which she also threw soil while listening to techno and electronic music – all while being nude. The police are now investigating the incident, which occurred at the Academy of Fine Arts (AVU) in Prague 7.

Creative artist Kateřina Olivová organized a student event entitled "Slay the Patriarchy," intending to illustrate the subversion of traditional gender roles. However, it has drawn criticism for its use of nudity and the presence of children. However, organizers made it a family-friendly event, drawing in several children to see the odd display.

A social media user uploaded footage of the event, in which Olivová throws soil through a fence with children sitting just meters away. 

AVU public affairs coordinator Petra Švédová defended the performance, telling Czech news outlet CNN Prima that nudity has been a part of art since prehistoric times and is a key means of expression for the artist. The presence of children in the audience was also only possible with the supervision of their legal guardians, according to Švédová.

In response to the backlash, Olivová, who primarily focuses on themes of physicality, sexuality, and human emotions in her work, stated that she sees her body as a material tool for artistic expression. She said that she often “uses embarrassment” as part of her work and said in the past that she likes working with awkwardness.

AVU has also released a statement clarifying the meaning behind the performance, which involved breaking a piñata full of soil and plant seeds, symbolizing the release of new life and the rejection of the historical notion of burning witches as punishment for disobedient women (this is pertinent, as the Czech čarodějnice bonfire event was just a few days ago).

The 1984-born Olivová has used nudity in many of her past creative works and also uses props and sometimes bizarre costumes as part of her art, which aims to explore feminism, physicality, sexuality, and motherhood. She has in the past, for example, posed fully nude while in a museum and also met guests to her works while naked.

This is not the first time a Czech performance has come under fire for public nudity in front of children. In the summer of 2023, visitors to the Rosé Wine Festival sharply criticized organizers for allowing a raunchy burlesque display in the presence of young children.