The Ústí project Deska presents art in public space

Ústí nad Labem - In the Ustí neighborhood of Střekov, a space was inaugurated today that is intended to showcase contemporary Czech and foreign art in public spaces. The project titled "Deska" utilizes the facade of the former public toilets on Žukov Street. Together with her husband and civic associations Pro kompot and Obraz doby, architect Kristina Magasaniková initiated it. She is also the author of the architectural design and implementation. Vendula Fremlová from the association Obraz doby informed ČTK.
    Deska is not a classic billboard or poster space. "Its dimensions of 8 by 5 meters, along with the arch in the middle and monochromatic pink paint, make it more of a monumental artistic object in itself, a 'pregnant' board promising new intentions and artistic realizations," Fremlová stated in a press release.
    The first exhibited project is Deska itself. "It should be a space that in the future shows interesting projects in public space. It is a project aimed at art in public space, but at the same time it should support the development or potential of the local community here in Střekov," Fremlová said, referring to the fact that nearby Deska are the Ustí Činoherní studio and the Buňka gallery.
    Other artistic interventions, which will follow at regular intervals, will be prepared specifically for Deska and will draw from its specifics, Fremlová noted. In about a month, graphic designer Štěpánka Bláhovcová should present herself through Deska, changing the appearance of Deska authorially. "Our effort is to help Střekov in a certain way, so that we can start working on the cultural environment of this place," Magasaniková added.
    According to her, Deska itself is the first step towards further development of the former public toilets. "We would like to create a kind of living architecture. Deska forms the facade, and we would like to renovate the toilets themselves as well. We will leave the space for artists to rotate. The concept is similar to a certain game. The artists involved will create the architecture of the place; it should be variable. For the people in Střekov, it should be an endless surprise," Magasaniková described the project.
    She added that in the next six months, four artists will rotate on the facade. "We want to alternate regional artists with world-renowned names," she noted.