ALEKSANDR GOROBETS:SAKHAROV’S HEAD HAS DISAPPEARED. BRONZE

A row has broken out in Kharkiv. A bronze statue of “The Thinker,” dubbed “Sakharov’s Head,” has disappeared from the local Shevchenko Theatre. It was manufactured in early 1990s by the group of authors after the sketches by renowned sculptor Ernst Neizvestny. The object weighed just over half a ton. In 1991, Mr. Neizvestny’s exhibition was held there, “The Thinker” being on display, too. The exhibition proved a great success. After it was over, the local firm Progress, which had funded the production of the exhibits, took minor exhibits away while “Sakharov’s Head,” was left in place for a time being because it was not that easy to transport. As a result, it was stuck in the theatre’s premises for nine years, its maintenance not being included in its budget. Nevertheless, the exhibit kept on impressing the visitors, especially metal lovers. But for the theatre’s management, the bronze figure became only noticeable by its absence. Nobody saw it being carried out. Militia proved helpless. The sculpture seems to have vanished into thin air. The firm Progress is counting the losses. If “The Thinker” purely goes to scrap, one can gain to $3,000. But if it is marketed as a work of art, one can gain to $12,000.