elysium
europa

Elysium Europa resembles an archeological find and acts as a reminder of the origin of democracy.

I have employed both style and metaphor to contrast current nationalistic migration policies with humanistic ideas. The sculpture is an allegory questioning whether Europe is still worthy of being called a paradise-like place, an Elysium, or whether we have already lost our democratic ideals.

I modeled the sculpture in clay and cast it in plaster. Subsequently, I broke it into pieces and put together some of the remaining fragments, which are now seemingly held together only by a barbed wire.
My intention was to make the head look like an ancient Greek sculpture, symbolizing the culture, philosophy, and birthplace of democracy - ideas Europe stands for and once was proud of.

Not too long ago, the European Union was envisioned as an alliance to establish a peaceful continent and foster economic and political stability to overcome wars. Its beginnings of cooperation in times of reconstruction led to a peaceful, united, and prosperous Europe. Right-wing dictatorships came to an end, the division between east and west started to crumble.

Triggered in the late Sixties, many changes in society and behavior paved the way to a political union. With an ever-growing number of members working more closely together, it finally envisioned and established a Europe without frontiers, with a common market and currency and mutual support.

Meanwhile, global economic crisis and climate change led to social and ethnic unrest, increasing extremism, and war in various countries worldwide. The EU is faced with the dilemma of how to take care of those fleeing their home countries, seeking refuge.

With member states that never really stopped exploiting their former colonies, and directly responsible for the aftermath, some in the Union now react by setting up barbed wire fences, unable to deal with migration in a humane way.
With a lack of mutual understanding and in the absence of a joint approach, the Union starts fragmenting, just like the sculpture.


The sculpture comes in two versions:
the original artwork in patinated plaster, framed in wood, and as an aluminum cast of the head.

elysium
europa

Elysium Europa resembles an archeological find and acts as a reminder of the origin of democracy.

I have employed both style and metaphor to contrast current nationalistic migration policies with humanistic ideas.

The sculpture is an allegory questioning whether Europe is still worthy of being called a paradise-like place, an Elysium...

...or whether we have already lost our democratic ideals.