Of Ice and Men
By: Martin Müller
Photo: Shotby.us, Anežka Horová, Romana Drdová, Markéta VuTru, Lenka Bakešová, Martsynyuk
They emerged from the depths of our imagination to show us the way to transcendence. This futuristic tribe wishes to leave behind the mistakes of the past and ascend to a new life. Caught between prehistoric customs and the technological conveniences of the present, they seek a way out of a flawed world. Beings seeking upliftment and a moment of immersion in an endless stream of light. This is the path they are treading for each one of us. For everyone who yearns for ascension.
Shales and rocks were formed by sedimentation under the Bořislavka river in Prague millions of years ago and they still form the contours of the town today. Aerial evokes the tension between nature and humanity and reminds us of the permanence that will outlive us, as well as humanity’s ability to change itself and its environment.
The glass peak of the Iceberg installation at KKCG in Prague stands out of a wooden surface, which symbolizes the sea. It extends over almost 500 square meters of the ceiling. Giant panels made of flat, sintered glass gradually light up to create the impression of a living organism.
In addition to the glass, fifteen hundred pressed wooden panels were required for the Iceberg installation, which fit perfectly into the architectural concept of Aulík Fišer Architects. The slats are variously perforated to form a grid into which the glass components are suspended, as designed by Lasvit Art Director Maxim Velčovský. Light passes through them, reflected in the hand-sintered and decorated glass surfaces, changing in waves and pulsating.
The Iceberg installation is the largest artwork of its kind by Lasvit in Europe. The individual panels bear the palm prints of the KKCG building founders, designer Maxim Velčovský and Lasvit founder Leon Jakimič.
