Dolní Břežany is currently a modern, attractive place to live and has undergone a great transformation in recent years. The municipality has long been engaged in cultivating the public space and emphasizes architectural and urban aspects when implementing new projects. Last year an extensive reconstruction of the chateau area was completed. The chateau building has been completely renovated and now serves as a chateau hotel to the public. The chapel and part of the chateau park also underwent a comprehensive renovation. Representative and generous public spaces have been built in Dolní Břežany, which are gradually cultivated by art. There is a very interesting collection of contemporary sculptural art.
A sculpture of the Large Yellow Octopus was created for no particular reason, for the pure joy of nonsense, in spite of probability; for the belief that large yellow octopuses exist; if only because they should exist.
Pieces of art have been commonplace in parks and gardens since anyone can remember. They may be a discreet accessory, an extravagant jewel, a guide or a centrepiece of the garden's design – and the main reason for its existence. An art piece and its placement in the garden can have a deeply personal meaning, or it can be the result of a meticulously focused architectural intent.
The creations of Alexandra Koláčková are immediately recognizable and her style unmistakable. And yet despite this – or maybe precisely because of this – they set the narration line of the area in motion in so many different ways... They serve as a decorative piece or a climbing frame; they can be the centre of the universe or a tiny surprise hiding under the bench... And that is why I personally value Alexandra's work so much.
Most gardens are not meant to be just observed, but rather used in active ways – their space waiting to be touched, sat on, jogged through... Everything is permitted – even welcome. The same applies to Alexandra Koláčková's sculptures. Their simple, rounded and approachable shapes as well as their larger than life size outright beg to be climbed on. This has a tremendous benefit for a garden architect like me. A garden, with everything in it, should be inviting, welcoming and open to visitors – it should encourage exploration and discovery. In case of Alexandra's sculptures, this is often literally the case, with hands or even whole bodies inviting visitors to sit, lie or rest on them. Whatever they want and whatever they can think of, be it children, their parents or their imagination.
Kateřina Pospíšilová, garden architect
