Tag: greek mythology

The Narrow Face

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Echo, 2011
Jaume Plensa

Jaume Plensa’s sculpture Echo is named for the mountain nymph of Greek mythology who offended the goddess Hera – she kept her engaged in conversation and prevented her from spying on one of Zeus’ amours. To punish Echo, Hera deprived the nymph of speech, except for the ability to repeat the last words spoken by another. The sculptor created this monumental head of Echo with her eyes closed, seemingly listening or in a state of meditation.

Another work by Jaume Plensa: Crown Fountain, in Chicago

2801 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA

June 15th, 2018

Crossroads of Civilization || Arthur M. Sackler Gallery

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Head of the Buddha

A very early image of the Buddha, this serenely beautiful head was once framed by a halo and joined to a complete figure. The Buddha’s downward gaze conveys that he is meditating. His cranial bump (ushnisha), which signifies transcendent wisdom, and his forehead dot (urna) are marks of his perfected nature. The sculpture was created for a monastic complex in ancient Gandhara, a region that now spans Pakistan and Afghanistan. In the third century, Gandhara was a crossroads that united the Greco-Roman world with India, and the Buddha’s wavy hair recalls classical images of Apollo.

Pakistan (ancient Gandhara)
3rd century
Schist

Arthur M. Sackler Gallery

April 25th, 2017

Good Heavens

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The weight of heaven on his shoulders for eternity: such was the punishment of Titan Atlas by Zeus for leading the Titans (elder gods) against the Olympians (young generation of deities) in what was essentially a power struggle between generations.

Carry Uranus (the sky) on his shoulders to prevent him from reuniting with Gaia (the earth) which would lead back to chaos, Atlas was essentially ”condemned” to be the keeper of the Balance of our Cosmos.

Atlas.
Bronze statue by Lee Lawrie and Rene Paul Chambellan, installed in front of Rockefeller Center in 1937.

24th September, 2016