In Český Krumlov, the project Gray will begin, aiming to bring normal life back to the streets

Český Krumlov - The deserted center of Český Krumlov is being addressed in the UNES-CO project, which will start in the city today, by artist Kateřina Šedá. From today until August, 15 pairs and families, of which five will start working today, will live in the center of Krumlov and carry out regular activities such as walks with strollers or airing out comforters in the windows. In this way, the artist highlights the negative depopulation of historical city centers that have found themselves on the UNESCO list.

The project was prepared by Šedá for the Czech-Slovak exhibition pavilion at the Venice Biennale of Architecture, which started on May 26. Today, a live broadcast will also begin from the streets of Český Krumlov to the pavilion in Venice, where Šedá has created the headquarters of the fictional company UNES-CO.

"Normal life is disappearing from the center, the residents mind it, and the town hall is interested in changing that. The goal is for people from the city to engage as much as possible and help reflect that problem," Šedá, a holder of the Chalupecký Award, said earlier.

Volunteers will receive payment for pretending to live a normal life. Šedá looked for them through a selection process for the job position "normal life full-time." The artist, whose previous projects included transporting residents of a Brno village to London, conducted interviews with many locals - tourist guides, residents of the center and outskirts of the city, current town hall leadership, and former politicians. She was intrigued by the boarded-up windows and people who do not greet each other on the street.

The project has received funding from the Ministry of Culture as well as the city, which will also provide apartments. The Egon Schiele Art Center gallery, which is participating in the project, will also provide one apartment.