Žižkov Stairs in Prague: There will be a water pump again
Under the famous stairs of the handsome Hubert, there used to be a hand-held water pump, today the place is empty. That is why last year the city district announced an art competition for the design of a new water element. It must respect the specific atmosphere of the place. 24 candidates applied, of which the jury selected 9 applicants, but one did not send a proposal. The winner of the competition was the design of the young sculptor Adam Kovalčík, which contains two classic hand pumps.
The proposal refers to the original pump, which disappeared at the turn of the millennium and the city district failed to find out what happened to it. The location of the work is part of the City for the City’s municipal program, which aims to promote fine art in the streets. All eight designs can be viewed by those interested in art in the Infocentre on Jiřího z Poděbrad Square until April 6. The exhibition also includes sculptures of water elements. “But two models are missing. The authors did not supply them, “the employee information center tells Blesk.
Two are better than one?
I especially liked the new water feature due to the simplicity of the idea and consideration for its surroundings and the historical character of the place. Both pumps will be fully functional and interconnected. In addition to revitalizing the area, they will serve as a source of drinking water and refreshment on summer days. According to the author of the proposal, duplication should evoke a feeling of vision in two ways. In addition, moving one rod will move the other.
“I approach the project with two personal feelings. The first is the relationship to Žižkov. I studied here at the Secondary School of Applied Arts and so I have it, apart from studies connected mainly with the rich nightlife, “ communicates sculptor Adam Kovalčík about the project. The second is said to be a fascination with the form of the pump, which was originally on the spot under the Žižkov stairs. However, the question remains whether two flowing pumps will not be a waste of water at the same time, when a passer-by only needs one pump.
The great transformation of Táboritská
The entire space under the stairs should be repaired as part of the implementation, including tiles from the classic Prague mosaic. According to the town hall, the location of the pump together with the modification of the space under the stairs can be expected next year. The project documentation is currently being prepared. A year or two later, it will be the turn of the staircase itself, along with the entire Táboritská Street. The event is being prepared by a transport company.
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Žižkov Stairs – March 2022
Author: Jan Dařílek