We invite you to the unveiling of Trnkafon, an artwork by Japanese artist Yuri Suzuki.
The name Trnkafon combines the words trnka and fon – a reference to sound and voice. Trnka, the Slovak word associated with the blackthorn plant, is also linked to one of the proposed etymological origins of the name Trenčín. The artist was fascinated by the coincidence that, when tracing the city’s name back through the development of language, we arrive at the name of a plant.
Trnkafon grows out of this very connection. The installation can be imagined as a fictional sound-producing plant native to Trenčín – an unknown organism growing out of the city itself, whose branches and flowers transmit sounds and voices instead of bearing fruit.
Just as a plant responds to its surroundings, this sculpture comes to life through the people nearby – listening, speaking and collectively creating an ever-changing soundscape of the city.
Trnkafon is both an imaginary species and a playful portrait of Trenčín: something rooted in the local environment, yet continuously growing through sound, interaction and shared participation.
Yuri Suzuki
Yuri Suzuki is a sound artist, designer and musician whose work explores the relationship between sound, people and the environments we live in. Through interactive installations, public artworks, products and musical projects, he investigates how sound can shape communication, social interaction and our perception of everyday life.
His work often directly involves audiences, transforming listening from a passive experience into something playful, physical and collective. Suzuki brings together music, technology, design and experimentation to create accessible sound experiences that spark curiosity and offer new ways of connecting people with places.
Based in the United Kingdom, Suzuki works internationally across art, design and public space. He collaborates with cultural institutions, cities and organisations around the world.
Admission to the event is free.
