Acroterion, 2022, 295 x 200 x 60 cm, fiberglass, recycled styrofoam, polyurethane resin, copper, iron & coldpatine
Acroterion is a monumental two part sculpture inspired by the Ancient Greek architectural ornament. The work is part of Ponder Peace at Isola di Pace, a private sculpture garden created by Isotta Page. Traditionally, acroterions are small scale architectural motifs used by ancient architects to crown Greco-Roman temples. Here, the artist adopted the motif to take on industrial proportions and aesthetics. It is split in two and crowns the landscape, interrogating the dichotomy of utility and decoration. Its monumental stillness contrasts the motion and growth of the trees and landscape it adorns.
Weathered steel and oxidized bronze are materials we associate with public monuments and rusty machinery but in Acroterion they become fluid and otherworldly, conjuring the respect given to spiritual or sacred relics. The work reflects the intersection of classical, industrial and ethereal aesthetics, a trinary presented throughout the Ponder Peace sculpture garden. Acroterion also references Jim Dine’s drawings in his Glyptotek series and Richard Serra's enormous sleek steel sculptural interventions.
