Saturday, March 31, 2012

Freedom

I love this piece of art:





It's called "Freedom" by Zenos Frudakis and is located at World Headquarters in Philadelphia.

I love some of the things Frudakis says about the sculpture, including:

"I wanted to create a sculpture almost anyone, regardless of their background, could look at and instantly recognize that it is about the idea of struggling to break free."

"Although for me, this feeling sprang from a particular personal situation, I was conscious that it was a universal desire with almost everyone; that need to escape from some situation – be it an internal struggle or an adversarial circumstance, and to be free from it."

"Although there are four figures represented, the work is really one figure moving from left to right. The composition develops from left to right beginning with a kind of mummy/death like captive figure locked into its background. In the second frame, the figure, reminiscent of Michaelangelo’s Rebellious Slave, begins to stir and struggle to escape. The figure in the third frame has torn himself from the wall that held him captive and is stepping out, reaching for freedom. In the fourth frame, the figure is entirely free, victorious, arms outstretched, completely away from the wall and from the grave space he left behind."

"In working on the large scale sculpture, I was satisfied that those who drove by getting a quick look at it would see the big picture: that it was about escape."


I just love the piece. It really speaks to me. In many ways, I feel it is a metaphor for my own life. Anyway, I thought it worth sharing. Enjoy!

2 comments:

Michelle said...

Thanks so much for posting these! I'd seen this piece pictured several times, but could never find its location or the name of the artist. Thanks for the info. I'll be in Pennsylvania this fall--maybe I'll get to see it for myself. :)

Gay LDS Actor said...

My pleasure. Glad I could help. Hope you get to see it in person. That would be cool.