Ecstasy, 2016, ecstasy narcotic, mixed media, 10 × 5 × 5 cm, dimensions variable
Request for cooperation with the National Anti-Drug Center of the Police of the Czech Republic
Dear representatives of the anti-drug center.
I am addressing you with a request for cooperation in the implementation of the art project “Aphrodite”.
In this work, I am trying to update the phenomenon of such traditional and deeply human phenomena as love and sexuality, which seem to latently contain aspects of something controversial, forbidden and dangerous. Something that most people desire, but which is increasingly lacking due to increasingly complicated interpersonal relationships. Often we have no choice but to replace them with social and erotic services, civilizational industrial substitutes, technical and technological conveniences, etc. In my opinion, these phenomena are among the most fundamental, they are largely connected with the culture of European civilization and were already significantly reflected in the iconography of early European art.
The most significant influence on our culture was the first great, typically European civilization of Antiquity – Ancient Greece. That is why I decided to reinterpret one of the most important ancient statues – Aphrodite, or Venus of Melia, which is owned by the Louvre Museum in Paris.
I chose Aphrodite because she is truly the first significant personification of the above-mentioned phenomena. She is the goddess of love, beauty and unfading youth.
My intention is to replicate a reduced copy of Aphrodite (approx. 16 cm tall) and use a psychotropic substance called “Ecstasy” as the material for its realization. Since this material is illegal and my intention is to try to realize this project officially, I am turning to you with a request to borrow a smaller amount of this substance for the realization of the statuette (the exact amount would be determined later in agreement with you based on the specific specifications of the statuette). I propose to use confiscated material intended for disposal for this purpose.
I would also like to suggest that this substance be fully under the control of your headquarters, as well as the resulting final product, which could then be disposed of according to the law (including disposal) after the exhibition. I suggest that the production process of the object be continuously monitored to prevent unwanted manipulation of the substance and that it be also under the continuous control of a person designated by you.
Thank you for your early response.
30. 4. 2015
Jiří Černický
1-letter_National Drug Control Center
2-Letter_Colonel
3-Mail from Colonel
4-pangamin story
Statue of Aphrodite – goddess of love from ecstasy, 2015, 15 x 4 x 4 cm, ecstasy.
Installation of Statues of Aphrodite – Goddess of Love from Ecstasy in a Security Display Case, 2015, 200 x 80 x 40 cm, ecstasy, plaster silicone mold, dishes.
In the background, documents are visible, indicating the author’s cooperation with the Czech police to obtain drugs for the exhibition.
Czech police transport bag, ecstasy in a mortar, ecstasy in a glass jar.
