Anglo-American University in Prague Potlatch Ceremony & Official Unveiling: “Totem” by Barbora Vovsov谩
Join us in the AAU Courtyard on October 8 for the official unveiling and vernissage of Totem (maple wood, 2023) by renowned Czech sculptor Barbora Vovsov谩. We are thrilled to announce that this striking artwork will be installed on campus as a centerpiece for the entire academic year!
Inspired by the Pacific Northwest Indigenous tradition of the potlatch鈥攁 ceremonial gathering centered on generosity, community, and shared celebration鈥攖he event features a symbolic welcome ceremony created in collaboration with AAU Visual Art Studies students.
The event will be hosted by Tony Ozuna, AAU School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Senior Lecturer. Refreshments will also be provided by the Caf茅 de Taxis. Come celebrate the intersection of contemporary art, nature, and community with fellow students, faculty, and staff as we officially welcome this extraordinary piece to our shared space!
About the Artwork & Cultural Context
The Czech sculptor Barbora Vovsov谩 originally created Totem for an exhibit in a city park in Ro啪nov pod Radho拧t臎m, in the Moravian-Silesian Beskydy mountains region. Totems are best known as a traditional art of the indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast of North America, incorporating motifs that symbolize growth, fertility, and abundance. Vovsov谩 explores the structures of materials and living things similarly in her works. The Native Americans (Indians) of the Pacific Northwest Coast (specifically, in Canada鈥榮 British Columbia and the state of Washington, USA) began to have contact with Europeans in the mid 1700s, initially from Spain and Russia, followed by trade with the French, the English and finally Americans (Boston men) as they were called by the natives.
In the courtyard of Anglo-American University (AAU), Totem is welcomed by the surrounding trees, our community of students from around the world, lecturers and staff, along with children and parents of the kindergarten. It is also presented as a symbol of Trans-Atlantic cooperation, key to AAU as an academic institution with American, European, and Czech accreditations.
Photo:
Text “About the Artwork & Cultural Context“: Tony Ozuna, AAU Senior Lecturer & Event Host
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