Bench of Ferdinand Vaněk, Public art sculpture in Dejvice, Czech Republic
The metal bench with a beer keg design stands in front of the National Technical Library on Technická Street in Prague, combining functional seating with artistic expression. The work is constructed from steel and shaped to visually represent themes of craftsmanship and critical thinking.
The work was installed on December 18, 2017, six years after the death of Václav Havel, former president of Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic. The placement on this symbolic date underscores the connection between the artwork and Havel's philosophical legacy.
The sculpture honors Ferdinand Vaněk, a character from Václav Havel's play Audience who worked in a brewery. The artwork reflects Havel's own experiences and his critical stance toward authority.
The location is directly in front of a large library and easy to find when walking along Technická Street. Visitors can freely pass by and photograph the installation, as it sits on public ground.
The bench carries a quote from Havel's play engraved on it: 'I cannot participate in a practice with which I disagree.' This direct message turns the artwork into a quiet statement of Havel's political commitment and moral stance.
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