Czech sculpture causes EU angst

BRUSSELS, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- A Czech artist created an edgy sculpture and a European Union-wide curfuffle in one fell swoop.

David Cerny got paid about a half million dollars to come up with a sculpture marking the start of Czech Republic's six-month tenure as leader of the EU. His "Entropa," invoking national stereotypes among the 27 EU members, managed to irritate many officials and amuse others when unveiled Tuesday in Brussels, EUobserver.com reported Wednesday.

Among those drawing scowls might be Lithuania depicted as urinating on Russia, Poland represented by priests holding a gay pride flag and Bulgaria shown as a Turkish-style toilet. Belgium is shown as a box of chocolates, Luxembourg as a gold nugget covered in a "for sale" sign, the Netherlands under water with only the minarets of five mosques visible and Sweden as an Ikea box. Britain isn't shown at all, alluding to its EU aloofness.

"It is preposterous, a disgrace," Betina Joteva, spokesperson of the Bulgarian permanent representation to the EU told the EUobserver.com. "It is a humiliation for the Bulgarian nation and an offence to (our) national dignity."

Cerny also made a point about his country representing the Czechs as an LED screen featuring quotes by President Vaclav Klaus, a long-time critic of the European Union.

"I am confident in Europe's open mind and capacity to appreciate such a project," said Czech Deputy Prime Minister Alexandr Vondra.