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| Project for a Monument - by Joan Miro (1893-1983) |
Eccentric artist Joan Miro was perhaps better known as a painter rather than a sculptor. His style was mostly considered surrealism, creating almost child-like stylized works with details that were askew. His artwork reflected his contempt for the typical conventional art of the day. It wasn't until later in his life that the talented Spaniard made the switch to sculptures, which often resembled some kind of living creature with animal, bird, or alien-like attributes.
The above sculpture is identified as Project for a Monument in the new Open Air Sculpture Park at the Middle Corniche in Jeddah, however it is called Personage II in the book Jeddah City of Art. Miro was 87 years old when the bronze sculpture was cast in Verona, Italy, and made for the City of Jeddah. It weighs three tons and is one of four made for cities around the world.
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| Oiseau (Bird) - by Joan Miro (1893-1983) |
Miro and another Spanish artist, Josep Royo, were commissioned in 1974 to do a huge tapestry work for the World Trade Center, where it hung until it was destroyed in the terrorist attacks of 9/11.
These two works of Joan Miro can be viewed at the new Open Air Sculpture Park in Jeddah's Middle Corniche. Tonight at 6pm is the opening ceremony of Jeddah Art Week at the new Sculpture Park. This ceremony kicks off the first of many scheduled events for Jeddah Art Week. The public is welcome at any of the events. Hope to see you there!
6 comments:
I really like that 1st one!
Hello Susie,
First of all, thank you for making the blog.
Then, when I was passing Jeddah to catch the plane after omra sometime ago, I amazed of the nuance of the city. I noticed that there were many of art works and performances in the open spaces. Those are part of the city's difference compared to other cities in Saudi Arabia. Since then I was so curious abt the background of how Jeddah became the art city. I found a bit of the background info in Wikipedia but dont think it is enough. I'd like to know whether you have ever written in dept info abt this topic in ur blog. think it would be easier to ask you directly than clicking each post. Thank you in advance.
Hi RedPat - Yes, it is a favorite of mine too. Btw, the way it looks totally different from the back side. Maybe I'll post a pic one day.
Hi Admin - You are welcome. I wouldn't say that I have written in depth about the artwork of Jeddah, but I have written a lot about it. The problem lies in the amount of information that has been available about the artwork. Currently there is only one book out on the subject, Jeddah City of Art by Hani Farsi, but it is over 20 yrs old and contains just a fraction of Jeddah's sculptures in it. There is a new book in the works that I am looking forward to seeing. Hopefully it will contain more sculptures and more information.
amazing! visited this last night and i was really awed. the sculptures are beautiful.
love your blog. im an artist and a jewelry designer. when i arrived in jeddah 3 years ago, the first thing i noticed were the huge installations and sculptures almost in every corner and round-abouts. last night just visited Jeddah Scultpture Museum and i was literally awed! i really appreciate how the city is evolving and embed art in its morph. i was so happy to have visited the JSM because its not only showcasing these incredible sculptures, but they are exhibiting the way how art pieces should be aside from landmark purpose only.
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