TPCArt culminated in the official opening of the Open-Air Gallery

The Kolín vehicles Toyota Aygo, Peugeot 107 and Citroën C1 produced by the car manufacturer TPCA have become an integral part of the culture and future history of the city of Kolín since September 14th. The four sculptures made ​​of commonly used material for the Aygo, 107 and C1 by renowned artistsfrom France, Czech Republic and Japan, were unveiled to the public. It happened at the highpoint of the International Festival of Modern Art TPCArt or Kolín as a gallery, which was accompanied by a fire show. The attractive accompanying program of the festival was visited by five hundred visitors and VIP guests from the region and the Czech Republic. TPCArt was organized by Kolín’s TPCA Toyota Peugeot Citroën in cooperation with the city of Kolín and the Central Bohemian Gallery GASK. 

The public park above lost lane hastransformed intoan unusualopen-air gallery since last Saturday. Up tothreemeters of artwork,whichweighs up toone ton, was created by the artistsTets Ohnari (*),Sylvain Sambre (**), Jan Kaláb (***), Jan Holub (****). 

The owners of Kolín’s triplets can find their car parts used in theoriginal works.The sculptures aremade​​ofsteel plates from Kolín’s press shop, which produces51 kinds ofmetal stampings. They varyin thickness, widthandsurfacefinish of the sheet. As to the Aygo,107 andC1 cars whoselife have started there they have also now given life to these artisticcreations. 

In addition to body parts such as side panels, roofs, doors and floors, the sculptures are created and decorated with exhausts, brakes, shafts, front axles, but also a series of cables and pedals, bolts and many others. A total of 1500 kg in steel plates and pipes were used. In addition 4 exhaust systems, 8 pieces of front axle, 4 rear brakes, 8 seats, 8 reinforcements of the back of the body were used. Also, the artists in collaboration with 70 students from the Kolín Secondary School of Engineering cut up one whole body, two front and rear doors. They used 12 m of brake pipes, 4 pieces of wiper mechanisms and 10 pieces of pedal sets.

And what did the students have to say about the cooperation with the artists? Excited by their new view of the world. "We incredibly enjoyed producing something that is functional and also looks good. It is inconceivable that a piece of iron and a little bit of money can go on to something so wonderful. It was great that we could do it ourselves, our views were accepted and many things were created from our ideas," agreed Jakub Mistr and Jiří Svoboda, who especially helped Jan Kalaba, but also other artists with welding.

Jan Pařez dedicated most of his time to the Japanese artist Tets Ohnari. “The cooperation was super. And we were even able to understand each other. I enjoyed the work in front of GASK, where we created the statue only from the car body. I never knew how simple it can be to make sculptures. I will now look at sculptures in a completely different light.“

Štěpán Kafka and Marek Jansta were Jan Holub’s accomplices.

"Working with Jan was fun. It was great that we were able to get involved with our ideas. We have gained new experience of working with a torch and a welder. Honza has really taught us a lot. It also changed our view of TPCA. We thought it was only just a car factory. We had no idea what they are doing for the people, and for improving the environment. Graffiti is really good. It is an art that was really lacking in Kolín. " 

As part of theopening ceremony of the open-air gallery,SylvainSambrethankedTPCAforallowing him tocome back to theCzechRepublic andreminding him of his artistic studiesin the Czech Republic. "I'mglad youallowed me to seea very interestingareathatisTPCA. For me it wasa greatexperienceandinspirationin preparingmywork, whichbears thereference"strongandstablepartner of theregion.” 

Jan Kaláb with his work"protecting nature"commented: "Through art, people learn greater accountability andresponsiveness. The focus of the sculpture in the form ofthe tree of lifeis something very close to meand I'mglad Icouldcontributeto its style to beautifythe localenvironment. " 

By processing "living here together" byJanHolub, visitors can gaze at a statue of the mythicalbird, Phoenix. "I received the biggestinspirationwhen I went to visit the carmaker, where Isawsomethingabsolutelyincredible intechnology. In connectionwith whatTPCA does for Kolínand its surroundings,gave me a vision of great will. When I asked myself how todepictdetermination and will, I remembered themythsand legendsthat Phoenix represents," says Holub. 

The JapanesesculptorTetsOhnari says he was inspired by the assembly line to render his "responsibility of the Kolín car manufacturer”."I loved the synchronizationof small cars, whichareassembled minute by minuteandthus are given theirfinal form. I realizedthat putting thecartogether is as challenging asthe Japanese art oforigami. Hence theinspiration for the work was imitating the production of theToyotaAygo."

During the whole afternoon on Saturday, children and their parents could have enjoyed the circus village that offered a tight-rope show, workshops, circus tents with activities for children, bubble-makers, mime show and much more. DJ Dan Cooley from Radio 1, Hitfakers, the Nymburk group and the winning group from TPCA’s beat festival from 2009 Sek jsi bombónky provided the entertainment. 

More information on the international festival of modern art TPCArt or Kolín as a gallery can be found at www.tpca.cz/tpcart.


Radek Kňava

TPCA Press Office

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(*)Tets Ohnari – Japan- is an overseas sculptor of Japanese origin who is trying to express and discover the origin and substantial interaction between man- the artist and material through his sculptures. TPCArt or Kolín as a gallery will present his work on the theme "responsible carmakerTPCA”.

 (**)Sylvain Sambre – France- the artistic creative sculptor, originally from France, is most influenced by the atmosphere where he works and the people he encounters. He will offer his work, which will symbolize the efforts of TPCA to be a strong and stable partner for the region to the park above the lost lane.

 (***)Jan Kaláb – Czech Republic- is a pioneer of the Czech graffiti scene, especially, he is one of the first plastic 3D graffiti artists in the world. For TPCArt he will create a sculpture on the theme of "protecting nature" created from materials used just for the Kolín cars.

 (****)Jan Holub –Czech Republic-has a rich artistic career and has replaced a number of professions from special tricks and film effects through jewellery workshops to gaming machines assembled from various materials. He will produce an untraditional sculpture on the theme "we live here together."