Street art was chosen to celebrate the centenary of the Italian Mission in Prague and commemorate the 50th anniversary of the death of Jan Palach and Jan Zahjíc, two Czech youths who committed suicide in protest against the threat posed by the troops of the Warsaw Pact, thereby becoming symbols of freedom. The exhibition entitled ‘On the wings of freedom’ organized by the Eleutheria foundation, in association with the Italian Embassy, and with the support of the Italian Cultural Institute, focuses on the themes of freedom; it has involved young Italian and Czech artists selected from about a hundred candidates.
Up until 3 October, in the heart of the historic district of Malá Strana – a section of Thunovskà street that belongs to the Embassy and that cannot normally be accessed – will be open to visitors who will be able to admire the expressive power of the works of street artists. In opening the event, Ambassador Francesco Saverio Nisio said that “Street Art is the litmus test for the changing times, a globalized composite allegory of today’s world. It uses a universal language which is also well known in Italy to express hope, fear and the claims for freedom of modern society”.
It includes the graphic labyrinths of Obic, the references to Art Nouveau by Diamond and the cartoons of Yest, the abstract art of David Strauzz, the lettering by I-am Rushdog and the Toy Box portrait. Then there are Er Pinto e Solo, artists from Trullo, the district of Rome that hosts the international festival of street poetry. The event was curated by Francesco Augusto Razetto, Ottaviano Maria Razetto and Genny Di Bert, the Eleutheria Foundation with the support of the Municipality of Prague the capital, the Municipality of Prague 1, the Italian-Czech Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Art & Design Institut of Prague.