'Lilith' by David Černý

David Černý’s Lilith is a provocative and captivating art installation in Prague, Czech Republic. This striking sculpture depicts a larger-than-life female figure hugging the external wall of a modern residential building. The steel statue is 24 meters tall and weighs 35 tons.

The statue takes its name from the mythological figure with the same name. Lilith is often depicted as a powerful and enigmatic figure, associated with femininity, rebellion, and independence. In some traditions, she is portrayed as a demon or supernatural being, while in others, she is seen as the first wife of Adam, predating Eve in the biblical narrative.

Lilith was installed in October 2022, created by the Czech artist David Černý, author of many other permanent pieces in Prague such as Babies, Embryo, and Trifot. Lilith is part of the project FRAGMENT, focused on the construction of a modern residential area including 140 housing units distributed over 10,500 square meters.

The colossal woman is not the only element of this art installation. By wandering around the building, visitors can spot also a gigantic arm and a leg, coming out from the ground to sustain the building, and a huge hand also comes out from a sort of well.

David Černý is typically cryptic about the meaning of his pieces, but Lilith could symbolize female independence. Since Lilith is part of FRAGMENT, all the gigantic body parts sustaining the building could also be linked with the concept of building a community where everybody helps each other. According to an early draft of the project, a male giant was also supposed to be hugging the building.