Powerful Paradigm
Monday, December 17, 2012
There is a statue in a square of Rotterdam. This effigy has been carved out of stone. It is a human looking up into the sky, as if trying to stop what is coming down with his hands raised and there is a hole where his heart should be. Disproportionate, parts of the figure are not at the right places nor are seemingly fitting in the scheme of sculpture – neck is not exactly in the centre of the shoulders and is sticking out, elbows are at a little distance from arms. Similarly, legs, ankles, feet, stomach and chest all seem out of place. Seeing the sculpture from a distance gives an impression that it will wither away with the wind.
This Artwork was put on display in Rotterdam in 1951. Reflection of thoughts of sculptor Ossip Zadkine, thinkers of the city as well as the municipality, this statue was erected here after the World War II to commemorate bombing and burning down of the city.
What does it reveal? I think the statue reveals human inner conflict; Disorder in times of turmoil deep within. And what you think?
What does it reveal? I think the statue reveals human inner conflict; Disorder in times of turmoil deep within. And what you think?
Update by Irving: The statue is called "The Destroyed City" and is depicting the horror of the carpet bombing by the Germans in 1940. The figure seems in horror of the bombs falling. Here is a link.
Labels: Art
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 8:00 AM,
1 Comments:
-
At 9:37:00 AM,
Carol Yates Wilkerson said...
-
I wonder what it would mean to someone who didn't know the history of Rotterdam? Would they then see it as a statue trying to hold up the sky?
