Made in the village of Litultovice to the west of Ostrava, this piece differs in that it is not made from the more common paper, but rather from iron. These human-like figures are comprised of tubes. In some places these narrow or flatten – around the feet, hands or torso. The heads, or more correctly the boxes, are sometimes open, sometimes closed. Why not make them in such a way? Especially when one can’t really tell if such works are supposed to symbolise people or some kind of “Pipemen”. Try as one might, my “Pipemen” (Trubkouni) evidently now rule the world – be they from paper, or be they from iron. The first of my “Pipemen” were likely created in Antwerp in 1967. Hippies with flares were all the rage then. I still have one of those hippies at home. It is made from rollers, pelmets, and broomsticks. Another came about in 2009 as a competition design for Ostrava–Svinov train station. Anonymous five-metre tall figures stemming from pipes of the same width as those used for the pipes in the station annex designed by architect Václav Filandr (built 2000-2007). Although a different design ultimately won, I still managed to gain for myself a new artistic direction. In recent years, I have made tens of these “Pipemen” from recycled paper. Each has a different expression and character. 

INSTALLATION PARTNER: The production of “Pipeman” was assisted by Antonín and Marek Majnuš. We gratefully acknowledge this support.