The sculpture ‘Tindaro’, by Igor Mitoraj, has been erected at Plac Trzech Krzyży in Warsaw. The four-metre bronze work weighs 2.6 tonnes and came to the Vistula from France. The huge head is one of the artist’s most recognisable works, having been part of the landscape of the Parisian district of La Défense for two decades, known for its modern architecture and prestigious headquarters of leading companies.
Mitoraj at Plac Trzech Krzyży – world art
“Tindaro” was commissioned by the international company KPM in 1997 and was set up in front of its headquarters in Paris. The monumental head of a young man combines classical inspirations with the fragmentation characteristic of Mitoraj’s work. At its time, the sculpture was proof of the artist’s worldwide success and an example of the skilful combination of art and architecture.
Symbolism of the “Tindaro” sculpture
The sculpture refers to the figure of Tyndareos, the mythical king of Sparta and father of Helen of Troy. Mitoraj created several interpretations of this figure, which can also be found today in Italy, including Lucca and Florence. A characteristic element of the Warsaw ‘Tindaro’ is the elaborate backdrop of the sculpture with pillars, reliefs and a mask reminiscent of the ancient ‘mouth of truth’. With this treatment, the work becomes a kind of dialogue between the artist and his own work.
Igor Mitoraj’s philosophy of art
Igor Mitoraj’s work focused on the tension between beauty and destruction. The fragmentary nature of his sculptures, reminiscent of the ruins of the ancient world, is not the result of damage, but a deliberate artistic endeavour. Mitoraj saw it as a metaphor for the human condition, the internal rifts and conflicts accompanying modernity. The artist himself emphasised that his works are meant to intrigue and remain a mystery, which is not immediately uncovered.
Igor Mitoraj – the career of a Polish sculptor
Igor Mitoraj was born in 1944 in Oświęcim. He had been creating outside Poland since 1968. A key moment in his career was a trip to Pietrasanta, Italy, where the proximity of the Carrara quarries created ideal working conditions for him. It was there that his greatest projects were born, as well as his friendships with the community of Italian critics and artists. In 1985, Mitoraj’s landmark exhibition at the Castle of San Angelo in Rome opened the door to his international career. He later completed sculpture commissions in Paris, Milan and Rome.
Mitoraj at the Three Crosses Square – Polswiss Art auction
“Tindaro” is one of the main objects of the auction of sculpture and spatial objects organised by the Polswiss Art Auction House. The event will take place on 16 September and the starting price of the work is PLN 4 million. The organisers stress that this could be a record deal on the Polish auction market. A total of 47 works will go under the hammer, including works by Magdalena Abakanowicz, Bolesław Biegas, Władysław Hasior, Victor Vasarelli, as well as contemporary artists including Tomek Górnicki and Adam Myjak. The auction promises to be one of the most important events of the year for collectors and lovers of contemporary art.
Source: PAP, trojka.polskieradio.pl
Read also: Warsaw | Sculpture | Places, Squares, Parks | City | Curiosities | Art | whiteMAD on Instagram
