Bulgaria toilet art (sculpture)
Date: 2009
Region: Europe
Subject: Political/Economic/Social Opinion
Medium: Sculpture
Artist: David Cerny (b. 1967) and two associates
Confronting Bodies: Bulgarian Government
Date of Action: January 2009
Location: Brussels, European Council building
Description of Artwork: An eight-tonne mosaic resembling a snap-out plastic modelling kit, showing Bulgaria as a series of squat toilets. This is part of an installation called Entropa, commissioned by the Czech Republic, which lampoons stereotypes of the EU's 27 members.
The Incident: Entropa, commissioned by the Czech Republic to adorn EU headquarters in Brussels, caused a sensation, and some embarrassment, across Europe. The work lampoons stereotypes of the EU's 27 members - David Cerny's depiction of Bulgaria was that of several squat toilets. Bulgaria issued a formal protest.
Results of Incident: The Czech government and the artist apologized and shrouded the artwork in a black sheet. The installation remained on display in the lobby of the European Council building until July, 2009 - for the duration of the Czech EU presidency.