Renzo Durante
Magda Frank
Change of position of the stone sculptures of the Forma viva collection in new locations
This year, in the context of the collateral events organized for the 60th anniversary of the symposium of sculpture Forma viva Portorož, some statues were successfully transferred from their former site. The changes of position were jointly organized by Piran Coastal Galleries and the municipality of Piran, in collaboration with the company Okolje Piran.
At the end of September, the sculpture of the Italian artist Renzo Durante (FV 2015) was moved from its original site due to the renovation of the Sun Park of Lucia. The vertical artwork, with its rhythmical twist of organic forms, shows the blueprint of the tortuous paths characterizing the Sun Park (the former kart racing track). The sculpture was temporarily hosted in the workshop area of Seča, next to the constructivist sculpture of Argentinian artist Magda Frank (FV 1964). The sculpture was removed from the park due to its dangerous slope.
The last two relocations, conducted in front of some enthusiastic and curious passers-by, were successfully completed a few days ago. The artwork of Çağdaş Sari (FV 2017) was moved from the roundabout next to the Tomi restaurant of Portorož to the entrance of the Health Centre of Lucia. The sculpture was maliciously nicknamed “sarma”, due to its form resembling a typical Slovenian dish made of meat rolls wrapped in cabbage. The real name of the sculpture is Hidden. The author describes his style in opposition to the one of Michelangelo, the master of Italian Renaissance who wanted to free the figures from their block of stone; Sari instead wants to protect what is hidden inside the block. Here comes the inspiration for its title, which also wants to pay homage to nature. Some months ago, the artist made a statement in which he showed his approval for the relocation of the sculpture in a more appropriate site.
The sculpture of the famous artist Dragan Poposki-Dada (FV 1977), which was placed in the Health Centre of Lucia, was removed in 2019 for renovation works. The artwork, composed by two cylindric pillars mounted on a rectangular base, stands out for the clarity and the simplicity of its geometric forms. Its new location is in front of the Sun Park of Lucia, surrounded by grass and trees.
With these last movements, the sculptures found a more befitting position. We kindly invite whoever would like to visit the sculptures to admire them in their new location. We also announce that the statue of Dragan Poposki-Dada will be soon part of Virtual Forma viva, the new project introduced this year by Piran Coastal Galleries in order to showcase the collection of the park through an audio-video virtual tour.
Çağdaş Sari
Dragan Poposki-Dada
