Events featuring this statue
September 2026
Description
The sculpture depicts a classic mushroom cloud forming after a nuclear explosion. The miniature bronze casting faithfully captures the texture of the swirling, billowing cloud of smoke. Despite modeling a destructive and terrifying phenomenon, the miniature size (barely 10–12 centimeters) and the fine craftsmanship still give the artwork a sort of bittersweet, satirical charm.
Story
The sculptor, who hails from Transcarpathia, has repeatedly voiced his anti-war stance since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine (one only needs to think of the sculpture on the Moszkva Promenade depicting Putin and the Ukrainian warship). The Atomic Cloud is a continuation of this thematic, critical line of work. The location of the sculpture is closely linked to the proximity of the Embassy of the Russian Federation, located on the neighboring Andrássy Avenue. The artwork reflects on the nuclear threats regularly emerging in the international arena, the danger of military escalation, and geopolitical tensions—all presented in Kolodko’s signature grotesque, miniature format. The statue was originally placed on top of the pillar supporting the ‘one-way street, no entry’ sign at the junction of Andrássy út and Bajza utca, next to the entrance to the underground. First, Putin disappeared from the top of the statue, and then the statue itself vanished. According to some sources, it was moved to a lamppost at the junction of Lendvai and Bajza Streets.
Fun facts
- • Original location: The sculpture was not originally fixed to a wall. Kolodko initially placed it on top of a "No Entry" traffic sign post next to the underground station entrance at the corner of Andrássy Avenue and Bajza Street.
- • A surviving sculpture: Since sculptures placed on traffic signs are highly exposed to metal thieves and vandalism, the piece was later moved to its current wall surface for a more secure and stable mounting.
- • Thematic tour: Local alternative sightseeing tours now dedicate an independent route to Kolodko's politically charged sculptures. The Atomic Cloud is the focal point of the walking tours dubbed "From Putin to the Atomic Cloud" by local guides.
