Sculpture Pillar of the Earth (Ger. Säule der Welt (Antike Säule))

Artworks

Description

The statue consists of a stone plinth with a base extending upwards with a square stone slab at the top. Rounded stone formations sway around a corrugated base column that appears to be flush with the it. "On the pedestal there is a slightly lowered antique column, which is framed by the tentacles of a big octopus-like monster".

Quote from "City Walk" (Ger. Stadtspaziergang).

Historical background

The sculpture is a gift to the city of Guben on the occasion of the 1985 World Day of Peace and the 750th anniversary of Guben.

“This sculpture […] was created […] along with other sculptures during the 6th Sculpting Symposium, which takes place every two years in Hoyerswerda, under the supervision of academician Jurgen von Woyski. Artists from socialist countries - one woman and nine men - designed over 11 sculptures in the general theme of "Experimental Friendship"; all of them were approached very individually, addressing the most pressing issues of human life".

“The column has always been a symbol of steadfastness, life and culture. A broken pillar lying on the ground is a sign of death".

Quotes from "City Walk" (Ger. Stadtspaziergang).

Information about the artists

Born in 1954 in Bratislava (Slovakia)
1973-1979: sculpture studies at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava
2009: 1- and 2-euro coin design in Slovakia (2011 Coin of the Year Award)
2012: participation in the FIDEM exhibition in France, Portugal, USA, Finland, and England
Lecturer at the Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering of the Slovak Technical University in Bratislava

Artwork review

“[The sculpture] relates to our present. The life of mankind is seriously threatened by the modernization of the US military-industrial complex. The monster shows its rough side more and more. The artwork reminds us to use all the merits for the survival of mankind for the sake of maintaining peace".

Quote from "City Walk" (Ger. Stadtspaziergang)