The Edison statue will be transported by Brno after years from the warehouse to the repaired square

Brno - A three-meter tall sculpture of light bulbs, intended to commemorate the inventor Thomas Alva Edison, is set to be installed in the public space of Brno after about two years in storage. The city hall plans to renovate the area near the Centrum department store and place the sculpture there. This was announced to journalists today by Deputy Mayor Daniel Rychnovský (KDU-ČSL). The author of the artistic design, Tomáš Medek, won the competition for the sculpture's design in 2007. The object was then produced, but it ended up in storage.
    The renovation of the square is expected to cost 27 million crowns, of which up to 90 percent is to be obtained by the city hall from the regional operational program. The transformation of the square had been postponed, as according to Rychnovský, it was necessary to resolve the rental relationship with the vendors.
    The repair is set to begin in July, at the latest in August. The appearance of the space is expected to change completely. In addition to the stalls, most of the parked cars, which, according to the deputy, completely block the area and destroy its genius loci, are also to disappear. The space extends to the Měnínská Gate, which was part of the former fortifications of Brno. Not far away stands the Mahen Theatre.
    Medek designed the sculpture to remind of Edison as four intertwined light bulbs made of stainless steel wire. The object measures three meters and is intended to shine at night.
    Although the American Edison never lived or worked in Brno, a connection between the inventor and the city can be found. The local Mahen stage was the first theatre building in Europe to be equipped with electric lighting as early as 1882. The scientist wanted to personally see the electrical installation, so he stopped in Brno during his trip across Europe in 1911. One of the original light bulbs is still on display in a showcase in the theatre foyer.