Sculptures of Rizari Park

What I can see

In addition to the “Column” by Giorgos Zongolopoulos, on the west side of Rizari Park, there is a set of abstract sculptures. One of them is “Massification” (1988) by Georgios Lambrou, a brass sculpture that symbolizes the mass that “swallows” the individual and its personality. The “Plastic Vision” (1985) by Georgios Kalakallas is made of marble and has been vandalized many times, mainly with paints. “Composition” (1966) by Christos Kapralos, is a bronze sculpture of the cireberdue (lost wax) method. It has an expressionistic style and abstractly represents a mother with her two children. The use of metal and the “sharp” forms signify a world where man is flattened and loses his face. Finally, the “Tree of Peace” (2019), by Hedva Ser is a bronze sculpture weighing 750 kg. Its branches look towards the sky, like a plea for peace. The Chai symbol represents life in the Bible, Shin is the first letter of greeting words in Hebrew and Arabic, the dove symbolizes the messenger of hope, and the crescent moon is a symbol of Islam.

What I can't see

Hevda Ser had said: “The road to peace starts from Athens, the cradle of democracy. This is the power of art for peace.” The “Tree of Peace” adorns many places and cities of the world, such as Baku, Andorra, Malta, Palestine, Jerusalem, Philadelphia, Boston, Strasbourg, Berlin and Arizona. The rest of the sculptures in the square had been initially placed in other parts of the city. “Massification” was located on Aeolou and Sofokleous Streets. The “Plastic Vision” was placed in the small Kyprou park on Patission Street. The original location of “Synthesis” was in Rallous Manou Square, on Amalias Avenue.

Info

• Address: Rizari Park

Bibliography