Sky Watch: Jeddah Art Week - Monnier's Flames

Untitled work by Sylvestre Monnier 

I love the light effects caused by the sun glinting on the shiny silver surface of this sculpture by Silvestre Monnier called Flames.  Tomorrow night (Saturday) at 6pm is the opening ceremony of Jeddah Art Week at the new Open Air Sculpture Park in Jeddah's Middle Corniche.  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!

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Jeddah Art Week - Kovacs

Alterations in Space - Francois Kovacs (1915-2005)

This graceful modern art sculpture was designed and created by Francois Kovacs, a Belgian doctor and medical researcher who had a passion and a talent for sculpting.  He worked in a variety of mediums, from marble to bronze.

Alterations in Space - Francois Kovacs (1915-2005)

Kovacs was not credited for his artwork here in Jeddah until 2012 when my blogs played a role in changing the credit from previously "Unknown" to Kovacs.  To read the story of how it happened, please  CLICK HERE.

Alterations in Space can be viewed at the new Open Air Sculpture Park in Jeddah's Middle Corniche.  It is the site for the opening ceremony of Jeddah Art Week on Saturday, February 1st at 6pm, which kicks off the first of many scheduled events.  The public is welcome at any of the events.   Hope to see you there!

Jeddah Art Week - Flame of Life by Hiltunen

Flame of Life - by Eila Hiltunen (1922-2003)

Eila Hiltunen's Flame of Life sculpture has been refurbished and restored and has now been placed in its new home along Jeddah's Corniche. Hiltunen was a famous Finnish sculptress.  Many of her graceful designs were inspired by her love of ballet.  She is perhaps most well known for her Sibelius Monument, which she was commissioned to create after winning a hotly contested and controversial competition, and which honors Finland's national composer Jean Sibelius.

The Flame of Life can be viewed at the new Open Air Sculpture Park in Jeddah's Middle Corniche.  It is the site for the opening ceremony of Jeddah Art Week on Saturday, February 1st at 6pm, which kicks off the first of many scheduled events.  The public is welcome at any of the events.   Hope to see you there!

Jeddah Art Week - The Eye

The Eye - by Cesar Baldaccini (1921-1998)

The Eye is an enormous bronze sculpture by the French born artist César Baldaccini.  He is most commonly  known just simply by his first name César.  He was one of the early pioneers in creating art from items not originally intended as art, such as wrecked cars, scrap metal, or garbage.  Aside from sculpting body parts, like The Eye, The Fist, and The Thumb, César found joy in creating a variety of fantastical insects and animals, as well as nudes. 

The Eye - by Cesar Baldaccini (1921-1998)

The Eye by Baldaccini can be viewed at the new Open Air Sculpture Park in Jeddah's Middle Corniche.  It is the site for the opening ceremony of Jeddah Art Week on Saturday, February 1st at 6pm, which kicks off the first of many scheduled events.  The public is welcome at any of the events.   Hope to see you there!


                   
                   

Jeddah Art Week - Arnaldo Pomodoro

Cube IV - by Arnaldo Pomodoro (1926- ) 

Italian artist Arnaldo Pomodoro had a background in building restoration, stage design, and goldsmithing before he began his career in sculpting.  He also spent time teaching in California at Stanford University and UC Berkeley.  His art focuses on basic geometric shapes such as spheres, pyramids, columns, discs, and cubes.  CLICK HERE for a wonderful interview with Pomodoro regarding his work. 

Circular Mass - by Arnaldo Pomodoro (1926-)

Pomodoro's Cube IV, as well as another of his sculptures called Circular Mass (above), can be viewed at the new Open Air Sculpture Park in Jeddah's Middle Corniche, which is the site for the opening ceremony of Jeddah Art Week.  It will be held on Saturday, February 1st at 6pm, kicking off the first of many scheduled events.  The public is welcome at any of the events.   Hope to see you there! 

Jeddah Art Week - Colorful Sculptures

Balance in the Air - Victor Vasarely (1906-1997)

Victor Vasarely was born in Hungary but lived most of his life in France.  He is known for his colorful geometric art and was one of the earliest creators of what is called "Op Art."  Optical art is designed in such a way that it can create illusions by using abstract geometric patterns which can appear to move, swell, warp, or produce a number of other visual effects. 

Flexibility of Balance - Alexander Calder (1898-1976)

Alexander Calder was an American sculptor who is credited with inventing "kinetic sculpture," an art form which utilizes balance, weight, and air movement.  Kinetic sculpture is more commonly known as the mobile.  Calder's father and grandfather were also well-known sculptors in their day. 

Both Vasarely's and Calder's art is on display in cities all over the world.   The sculptures featured in today's post can be viewed at the new Open Air Sculpture Park in Jeddah's Middle Corniche, which is the site for the opening ceremony of Jeddah Art Week on Saturday, February 1st at 6pm, kicking off the first of many scheduled events.  The public is welcome at any of the events.   Hope to see you there! 

Jeddah Art Week - Henry Moore

Henry Moore was a prolific sculptor, famous for his large bronze abstract works which can be seen all over the world as public art.   The three pieces shown in this post were all created by Henry Moore for the City of Jeddah.  Besides these, there are many more that the sculptor was commissioned to do for the city as well. 

 Large Spindle Piece - by Henry Moore

From his humble beginnings as a coal miner's son in England, Moore became an extremely successful commercial artist but he continued his lifelong frugal habits.  His Henry Moore Foundation was endowed with his earnings and continues to support art education and promotes the arts to this day.

Three Piece Reclining Figure No. 1 - by Henry Moore

The above piece is one of many of Moore's various reclining figures, a theme he explored mainly with the female form in mind.  My own interpretation of the above sculpture is "reclining elephant."  Do you see it too?

Oval with Points - by Henry Moore

These Henry Moore sculptures can all be viewed at the new Open Air Sculpture Park in the Middle Corniche, which is the site for the opening ceremony on Saturday, February 1st at 6pm, kicking off the first of many events scheduled for  Jeddah Art Week.  The public is welcome at any of the events.   Hope to see you there!