New sculpture in Prague’s Masaryk Station made from 500-plus vodka bottles

It’s dry January followed by dry February so what to do with all those empties? If you’re one of the world’s foremost producers of spirits, make art — in Prague — apparently. 

Swedish vodka brand Absolut and Czech artist Radka Salcmannová have just unveiled a large-scale public sculpture in the Czech capital that incorporates over 500 recycled bottles. The installation is currently on view at Masaryk Station in Prague.

The light installation, created to promote the vodka’s Absolut recycle campaign, which includes a limited-edition bottle made from 41 percent recycled glass, is a collaboration between Prague-based Chemistry Gallery and Czech sculptor, designer, and fashion designer Radka Salcmannová, who lives and works in New York and Los Angeles, and has worked on installations for singer Björk. 

“ I was very interested in the topic itself, of course, we all know how important the idea of ​​recycling is, and it should be an essential part and also a daily responsibility for all of us,” says Salcmannová, adding “I also like the fact that it is work in public space and it will affect people who would leave ordinary closed gallery spaces unnoticed.”

The entire installation consists of 562 Absolut bottles, which are cut into different sizes. The supporting structure is made of old bar stools, sourced by the artist. The work is complemented by video projection. It will be on display in the main hall of the station until mid-February 2020.