Thaya - Destiny of a Tree 1968

Lubo Kristek's ‘Thaya - Destiny of a Tree’ presents a compelling convergence of form and meaning. A carved wooden column, encircled by human figures and skulls, rises like a totem beneath a wooden, pyramid-like structure. The sculpture’s placement in the landscape invites a dialogue between nature and artifice. The wooden structure creates a frame for the central column, drawing our eye to the carved forms. Kristek employs repetition and layering in his sculpture, using the human figure to convey both a sense of unity and the weight of existence. The skulls evoke a sense of mortality, juxtaposed with the dynamic postures of the figures. Kristek uses the principles of semiotics to explore the relationship between signs and symbols. The sculpture’s composition invites us to contemplate themes of life, death, and the human condition. 'Thaya' serves as a cultural marker, inviting us to reflect on the interplay between humanity and its environment.