David Černý's Tower Babies installation is one of his most iconic works. Originally conceived for a Chicago exhibition in 1991, these distinctive sculptures gained significant public attention in 2001, when Prague was designated the European Capital of Culture. That year, Černý installed ten identical "babies" crawling on the Žižkov TV Tower—a relic of Soviet-era oppression. This tower, initially designed as a signal jammer to limit Prague residents to Russian propaganda channels, had long been viewed as a symbol of that oppression. For years, many residents even advocated for its removal.
By placing his playful, crawling babies on the tower, Černý transformed its intimidating structure into something approachable and subtly humorous, effectively mocking the history it represented. When the year ended and the babies were scheduled for removal, public demonstrations erupted, demanding they remain. In response, the tower’s owners purchased the sculptures, cementing the babies' place as a cherished landmark and popular tourist attraction.
In 2018, due to new building codes, the original babies installation had to be removed and replaced with a reinforced version. The original babies then traveled to Palm Springs, where they were displayed in front of the Palm Springs Art Museum until 2023. Afterward, the babies appeared in a museum exhibition in Mexico, and they are now on view at the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento through January 12, 2025.
Though much of Černý's work is designed for public spaces, he has recently created a series of smaller, limited editions. We are thrilled to be the first gallery to offer a bronze version of the Baby and a tabletop edition of the Small Baby.
For more insights into David Černý’s artistic vision, visit our website to watch a 30-minute documentary on the artist and explore more of his work: www.hohmann.art/cerny