PHOTO GALLERY: Artist inaugurates Czech 'embassy' in Taiwan to raise awareness

Czech artist Pavel Jestřáb has opened a conceptual Czech "embassy" in Taiwan that is part of an art project whose location and collaborators are undisclosed due to security concerns. While not an actual embassy, Jestřáb told ČTK that his Embassy project was a glimpse into the future where good prevailed. 

In a video presenting his project, Jestřáb stressed his support for Taiwan’s independence from China, adding that the Czech Republic, “like many other states, maintains trade and diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but recognizes the One China policy.” The Czech Republic and Taiwan do not maintain official diplomatic relations but have been cooperating in a number of areas. 

The artist described his project as a “wish, a hope, and an effort to awaken the democratic world to united action.” He also told ČTK that he consulted Professor Olga Lomová from the Institute of Sinology at Charles University on the best ways to bring his ideas to life.

This is Jestřáb’s second project related to Taiwan. The first one happened as part of an internship in 2014 when he was a student at UMPRUM (Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague). 

The internship, which took place at the National Taiwan University of Arts, brought exotic elements to his art, which he has been mixing with the “original Moravian or generally Czech tradition.”

The influences are conspicuous in the Embassy photos that show Jestřáb wearing his grandfather's Slovak costume in front of the building he transformed into the conceptual embassy. The juxtaposition contrasts the costume with the environment of Southeast and East Asia for a result that is “much more direct, political and openly appellative,” according to the artist.

Taiwan is an independent state, but China sees it as a rebel province that has no right to international representation. The Czech Republic, like many other states, maintains trade and diplomatic relations with Taiwan but recognizes the one-China policy.