Ascension

What the sculpture looks like

The sculpture Ascension is executed entirely in a saturated yellow. The plinth, the metal structure and the human figure all share the same shade. Because of this, every part reads as a single whole, even though the shapes differ sharply.

At the very bottom is a flat square base laid on the lawn. It is low and thin. From its centre rises a simple metal structure of two crossing bars. The longer bar rises diagonally and carries the figure; the shorter one supports it from the opposite side. The structure recalls a plain technical support. The artist neither hides nor disguises it – he leaves it visible as part of the work and paints it the same saturated yellow as the rest of the sculpture.

Roughly one and a half metres above the ground is a human figure. It is caught horizontally, as though floating or rising upwards. The body is supported by the bar at the calves, while the rest of the figure levitates freely in space. The torso points up towards the sky, the face is turned towards the viewer.

The figure represents a slender naked man. The body is anatomically worked out, with musculature gently suggested on the chest, arms, back and legs. The surface is smooth and hairless. The shaved head is equally smooth. The whole reads as calm and balanced.

The line of the body forms a gentle arc. The chest and belly rise upwards while the legs drop very slightly. The head hangs a little, so the face is clearly visible.

The arms are spread out to the sides, creating a long, almost horizontal line that markedly widens the figure's silhouette. They are only slightly bent at the elbows. The forearms angle downwards and the hands hang from the wrists. The fingers are extended and point towards the ground. The gesture of spread arms strengthens the impression that the figure is floating in space.

The head sits between the outstretched arms, lower than the shoulders and the upper back. The face is simplified, but the individual features are easy to read. It has regular proportions and a calm expression. The eyes are closed, the mouth relaxed. The expression of the face, together with the relaxed position of the arms, creates an impression of concentration, calm and surrender. Although the body is in an unusual position and seems to float or to be halted for a moment in space, it does not look tense or dramatic. On the contrary, it radiates calm and an almost meditative focus.

How to find the sculpture

The monastery garden on Piaristické náměstí square, České Budějovice. The sculpture stands on a flat square base set on the lawn, so the last few steps are across grass.