Artist David Černý: The torso of the tank in Smíchov was painted blue-yellow in support of Ukraine
The torso of the Soviet tank on Kinský Square in Prague has changed color again, the color of the Ukrainian flag is now – blue and yellow. The author of the work, artist David Černý, stated that the event is intended to support Ukraine, which has been defending the Russian invasion since February 24. The torso of the tank, which was first pink and then green, recalls the Soviet occupation of Czechoslovakia in 1968.
According to Černý, the current painting of the torso into Ukrainian colors was a “friendly company”. According to the artist, the significance of the event is clear, ie condemnation of the current Russian attack on Ukraine. “Perhaps there is no one who can describe a person who would not call something like this a rude occupation and violence,” Černý said of Russia’s attack.
From 1945 to 1991, a tank stood on Kinský Square in five high tall pedestals as a symbol of thanks to the Soviet army for its contribution to the liberation of Prague in World War II. In 1991, David Černý, then still a student at the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design, painted a tank pink with his friends. Because of this, Černý then faced charges of rioting, but the case eventually ended in misdemeanor proceedings. Černý’s action sparked a discussion about preserving the monument, and in 1991 the tank was moved to a military museum.
Black later wanted to place a torso of a pink tank in Kinský Square, as if sinking into the ground. It appeared briefly on the square in 2008 during the Russian-Georgian conflict. The torso has been permanently placed on the square since 2018, but this time in green with a white stripe, which marked the technique of the invasion armies of the Warsaw Pact of August 1968.