New open-air exhibition at Prague’s Museum Kampa features giant skeletal hands

The works by Kryštof Hošek take on new meanings in the context of the pandemic.

Raymond Johnston

Written by Raymond Johnston Published on 12.02.2021 11:19:00 (updated on 12.02.2021) Reading time: 1 minute

Museum Kampa has opened its courtyard to make an exhibition of sculptures by the artist Kryštof Hošek accessible to the public. The exhibition is open daily until April 9 on Prague’s Kampa Island. Admission is free.

Hošek is a young author who responds to social situation and political events in his work. The highlight of the exhibition is Victory, a giant skeleton hand with two fingers extended in a V sign. A similar sculpture called Like has a skeletal hand with its thumb raised up. Evolution Revolution features giant rats and more finger bones.

Some of the sculptures were created before the pandemic, but are taking on new meanings in the current situation.

“My statues, monumental gestures in the form of a human hand skeleton, the Victory statue in front of the museum building on the embankment overlooking the Vltava and Like in the museum courtyard, change their original symbols in the context of the current pandemic situation and amplify the plight of society,” Hošek said.

Revolution Evolution by Kryštof Hošek. (Photo: O. Pálan)
Revolution Evolution by Kryštof Hošek. (Photo: O. Pálan)

“At the same time, however, humorously, with exaggeration and irony, they give strong hope. The sculptural group, Revolution Evolution … has already been purposefully created for this exhibition during the second wave of the pandemic. My current sculptural installation should lead the viewer to rethink the already established symbols and their meanings,” he added.

A planned double exhibition in the Museum Kampa was to have opened at the turn of the year with works by Hošek and fellow sculptor Peter Oriešek. However, the opening of the exhibition was disrupted by current anti-epidemic measures and the associated closure of galleries.

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Hošek first drew attention to himself with the controversial sculpture of Miloš Zeman, which he responded to the results of the presidential election.

Hošek studied sculpture at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague. In his sculptural work, he focuses primarily on figurative motifs. He creates monumental, realistic sculptures in public space that are on the border of decadence, caricature, and pop art.  

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