The “Butterfly Effect”. David Černý About the Spitfire-Butterfly Sculptures at Máj

The Máj department store in Prague will officially re-open on June 20, following a two-year renovation.

The long-awaited reconstruction has already sparked controversy when it emerged that the façade of the building will be adorned with two giant butterflies made of Spitfire aircraft fuselages.

Here are David Černý’s words:

“Thousands of Czechoslovakians went abroad immediately after the occupation in March 1939 to fight against Nazism, for democracy and the restoration of an independent state. Among the first to distinguish themselves were fighter pilots, first in the battles over France, and then in the ranks of the RAF alongside their British comrades and other allies in the famous aerial Battle of Britain.”

“A number of these brave men were “rewarded” in the form of incarceration and torture in communist prisons after the war. They received
full rehabilitation and satisfaction only after the fall of the second totalitarian regime against which they fought. 359 airplane silhouettes in the pavement symbolize Czechoslovak fighter pilots who fought in the ranks of the RAF,” adds the Czech artist.

“A small fighter plane with a skillful pilot can ignite the fire of a battle that will eventually sweep away even a large aggressor. The butterfly effect is the theory that the flapping of an insect’s wings can trigger a chain of events that will cause a hurricane on the opposite side of the planet.”

About the new store

Visitors will now have soon access to nine out of 11 floors, a significant increase from the previous six.

The revamped basement level will house a Tesco supermarket, while the first and second floors will be dedicated to restaurants, cafes, pharmacies, and shops offering flowers, accessories, clothing, and more.

Foodies will rejoice at the new food hall, boasting a whopping 750 seats and a diverse selection of quick bites and classic dishes from popular brands like Popeyes, Burger King, Banh-mi, Prima bašta, Misushi, Amerikanos, and others.

The upper floors will cater to entertainment with an amusement park and dedicated spaces for cultural and educational events.

Crowning the building will be a restaurant with a breathtaking panoramic view of Prague, accessible through the glass roof.

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