Description
The small bronze sculpture consists of a cushion-shaped base decorated with tassels at all four corners, with a miniature axe lying diagonally across it. Both the handle and the head of the tool are richly detailed, and its surface has developed a patina from the weather and the touch of curious hands. The piece blends discreetly into the square's stone architectural surroundings, yet remains instantly recognizable for its distinctive style.
Story
The story of the Axe is closely intertwined with an earlier work by Kolodko. In the autumn of 2019, the artist placed a Soviet military fur hat (ushanka) resting on a decorative cushion in Liberty Square, right next to the Soviet war memorial. In November 2019, a member of parliament deemed the mini-sculpture a symbol of totalitarianism, knocked it off its pedestal with an axe, and threw it into the Danube. Instead of responding with public statements, Mihály Kolodko returned to the site on January 3, 2020, and placed a new bronze cushion on the remaining base—this time featuring the "culprit" tool itself, a tiny axe.
Fun facts
- • The story continues. The tale didn't end there, as the sculptor later placed another statue on the steps of the lower embankment in front of the Parliament, depicting the ushanka crawling out of the Danube wearing flippers.
- • Public satire. The artwork is a prime example of how guerrilla sculpture can reflect on current political and social events with humor and irony.
- • Royal presentation. Just like the original ushanka, the axe rests on an ornate, tasseled bronze cushion, further emphasizing the absurd, artifact-like nature of an everyday tool.
