A statue of a small arrogant man with an angry expression on his face. The figure is divided into three-parts representing the head, the torso and the legs. This oversimplified division creates a seemingly anatomical mismatch and at first glance his huge head looks ridiculous. These are the characteristics of the statue of “Pičus” which has become very popular among art collectors, art historians, as well as the non-professional public.
The name Pičus is difficult to translate. It describes a man both ridiculous and foxy, an insidious son of a bitch, full of complexes; a self-important, arrogant bastard, the type that people find annoying in real life. One of the most pregnant translations is “Niemand.”
Just as it is difficult to translate the name exactly, it is also difficult to describe the mix of emotions evoked and represented by this statue. The already mentioned arrogance, negativism, inferiority complex, meanness and maliciously unhealthy self-importance. The essence of negative emotions that people try to hide is encompassed in this one-meter tall figure whose insignificance is highlighted by his small penis. This series of emotions paradoxically evokes a sense of the ridiculousness, his insignificant importance and arrogance.
Viktor Frešo, the sculptor, often deals with emotions on the edge and consciously inspires debates about the stereotypes of the perception of art and the values of artistic operation. In Pičus, he redirects this strategy into human characteristics which, not accidentally, resemble the seven original sins.
“I’ve always been fascinated by people with big heads; they seemed exceptional to me and their energy had a very pleasant effect on me,” the author commented on the history of “Pičus.” In the nineties, this trivial statement initiated the first oil paintings of people with big heads and a similar expression as that on the face of “Pičus.” Later, in 2011, its 3D version appeared as a bust entitled MONGY in the City Gallery of Košice. In 2013, the entire body sculpture was presented in public for the first time - at the BA City Beats festival, where it stood on the podium alongside world stars. It is interesting to see how Pičus finds a wide range of fans, although he is actually a little man demonstrating a raft of negative emotions.
