The installation V úniku (In Escape) by Lukáš Rais, which you can closely explore in front of the EPO1 Center for Contemporary Art, is one of the highlights of the Jízda exhibition. A dramatic scene unfolds on a neatly trimmed lawn under the open sky, reminiscent of moments often seen in a peloton. However, in the world of sculpture, this is a global premiere.
The creation of this piece had a dramatic journey. Lukáš Rais worked on it for several months during the winter and spring of 2024 in his industrial studio, nestled under the smokestacks of a power plant in Prague's Hostivař district. The deadline was fixed—the cyclist sculptures were set to be unveiled at the exhibition opening on Thursday, May 2nd, and Lukáš gave it his all. He was determined not to lose the race against time, so I would occasionally drop by to see how things were going. It was less about checking up on him and more about offering support—we’re friends, after all. I was curious how he would handle the challenge. After years of establishing himself as a leading artist in abstract geometric sculpture, he was returning to figurative work.
Lukáš has a unique approach—he doesn’t carve his sculptures from stone or mold them from clay or plaster. Instead, he constructs them from industrial materials, like pipes, fittings, and iron components. I don’t know much about their original use, except that they’re designed to withstand high pressure and connect or carry something. What Lukáš does is essentially transform these industrial parts into refined works of art, with a completely different purpose and meaning. Creating a figure out of these materials is a real challenge. And when that figure is a cyclist on a bike, it becomes even more complex.
But he pulled it off brilliantly, and even ahead of schedule. Although I was confident he would succeed, I still felt relieved when his work finally took its place in the exhibition. The day before the opening, two of Lukáš’s cyclists were delivered to the EPO1 space—one celebrating with arms raised in victory, while the other, despite his best efforts, had lost the race. When I congratulated Lukáš, he gave me his trademark broad smile and said, “I’m not done yet!” I found out that his piece "In Escape" would eventually include five more cyclists, making the entire scene even more dramatic.
By Friday, August 16th, his vision was fully realized. The installation was complete, and the story expanded. The newly added cyclists, chasing the two lead escapees, were caught up in the chaos typical of a sprint finish—three of them crashed, while the others narrowly avoided the pile-up. It’s a gripping scene."I call it a compact dynamic pipe group," Lukáš explained. "Pipe group?" I asked. "Yes, like a sculptural group, but I make pipe groups."
Lukáš Rais’s works are powerful. They enhance their spaces, infusing them with energy and a strong sense of place. They become landmarks, helping people connect with the location. They’re generally well-received and bring joy. They draw attention without being gimmicky or pandering in any way. That’s a rare quality. Something captivating about them resonates even with those who usually shy away from contemporary art. The reason is simple—they are beautiful.
Trutnov is another town where people can experience this, and it’s not the first time. Back in 2013, Lukáš had an exhibition in the town gallery, with some of his monumental works installed in public spaces. This year, he’s back in Trutnov again. We’ll see how long he stays this time.
Read about the exhibition Jízda at this link. More stories from the art world by Petr Volf can be found here.
