Metalmorphosis

CHARLOTTE, NC (September 21, 2007) – After months of anticipation, David ern’s Metalmorphosis was unveiled at a ceremony celebrating the grand opening of American Asset Corporation’s 3701 Whitehall Corporate Center. Several dignitaries from the Czech Republic were in attendance, including the Czech Foreign Minister, Karel Schwarzenberg; the Czech Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Petr Kolar; and the Czech Ambassador to the United Nations, His Excellency Martin Palous. David ern says of Metalmorphosis, his first permanent public installation in the United States, “I was thinking about doing something as a centerpiece. I knew I wanted to employ water from the beginning.” The sculpture, which stands 25 feet tall and was fabricated from approximately 14 tons of stainless steel, is in the shape of a human head, with water flowing from its mouth into a large fountain at its base. The structure is comprised of seven separate layers that rotate intermittently, dissecting the sculpture’s features. Custom-written programs control motors embedded within the structure to orchestrate choreographed sequences. Every motor has a feedback switch so the computer knows where each piece is at any given moment, allowing for random motion within the sequences. This movement is controlled via the Internet by ern himself and represents a continuation of his work that incorporates mechanical engineering and computers as an integral part of the design. Live streaming video of the sculpture in motion can be viewed online at www.metalmorphosis.tv. A vocal dissident of the Communist regime, Czech native David ern first came into the public eye in 1991 when he painted a Soviet tank pink, challenging the lingering symbol of the Soviet occupation of his country. The inspiration behind ern’s highly original and often controversial work stems from the artist’s experience living under the oppression of the Communist Party, which he faults for leaving the Czech Republic economically and spiritually destroyed. His most widely known sculptures include Baby, which was displayed in locations throughout the United States before becoming part of a permanent installation on Prague’s Communist-era Zizkov television tower in 2000; Bus Stop, a public bus stop in the city of Liberec that ern transformed into a larger-than-life bronze banquet table; and Man Hanging Out, a rendering of Sigmund Freud dangling by one arm from a steel beam, which was most recently on exhibit for three months in Chicago as part of their Prague Days celebration. Metealmorphosis was commissioned by Riprand Count Arco, founder and chairman of American Asset Corporation, to create a one-of-a-kind sculpture for his 200-acre Whitehall Corporate Center. Art is an important part of the landscape at Whitehall, helping to create a synergy between creativity and productivity. Other works on exhibit include 1
7 by Romanian sculptor Nicolae Rosu, Levitation and Chandelier: the stuff of stars by Czech native Pavel Kraus, and Flash by Czech artist Václav Bláha. Kraus’ Levitation was one of only twenty works nationwide recently selected by Art in America for recognition in their annual “Public Art in Review” issue. ern’s Metalmorphosis is situated in front of 3701 Whitehall Corporate Center, the fourth building to be completed in the office park, which will ultimately encompass more than two million square feet of Class A office space upon completion. American Asset Corporation (AAC) is a diversified commercial real estate development and investment company whose services include strategic planning, construction management, leasing, brokerage and property management. Since 1986, AAC has developed projects valued at over $1 billion and has an additional $1 billion in projects currently under development. Their operating portfolio, valued at more than $800 million, encompasses master-planned, retail, office and industrial properties in the Charlotte, Raleigh and Charleston markets