savas Posted November 21, 2008 Report Share Posted November 21, 2008 It may not straddle the port as its predecessor once did, but in terms of sheer luminosity and eye-catching height the new Colossus of Rhodes will not disappoint. Nor will it fall short of the symbolism that once imbued the ancient monument. Twenty-three centuries after craftsmen carved the legendary statue that has inspired legions of painters, poets, playwrights and politicians, a new world wonder, built in the spirit of the original Colossus, is about to be born on the Aegean island. After decades of dashed hopes, the people of Rhodes will fulfil a long-held dream to revive one of the world's seven ancient wonders - thanks to the promise of international funding and the East German artist Gert Hof. "It will be a unique architectural creation," said the island's mayor, Hatzis Hatziefthimiou, presenting what is likely to become one of the 21st century's largest artistic projects in Dubai last week. "We want to make it a work of global appeal and significance." Like the original, erected in homage to the sun god Helios by the master sculptor Chares of Lindos, the new Colossus will adorn an outer pier in the harbour area of Rhodes, and be visible to passing ships. And like its ancient namesake, the modern-day wonder will be dedicated to celebrating peace and built, at least in part, out of melted-down weapons from around the world. But unlike the ancient Colossus, which stood 34 metres high before an earthquake toppled it in 226BC, the groundbreaking work of art is slated to be much taller and bigger. And unlike previous reconstruction efforts, officials say the Cologne-based design team is determined to avoid recreating a replica. In the past, new Colossus aficionados have persistently run up against the objections of Greece's powerful lobby of archaeologists. A proposal to recreate the legendary statue in the run-up to the 2004 Athens Olympics whipped up such controversy that opponents claimed its glitzy, we're-bigger-than-you overtones were not only offensive but defiled rather than boosted the country's cultural heritage. "Monumental works can't be copied for the simple reason that they risk becoming caricatures," insisted Hatziefthimiou. Instead, in the spirit of the 21st century the new Colossus has been conceived as a highly innovative light sculpture, a work of art that will allow visitors to physically inspect it by day as well as enjoy - through light shows - a variety of stories it will "tell" by night. "We are talking about a highly, highly innovative light sculpture, one that will stand between 60 and 100 metres tall so that people can physically enter it," said Dr Dimitris Koutoulas, who is heading the project in Greece. "Although we are still at the drawing board stage, Gert Hof's plan is to make it the world's largest light installation, a structure that has never before been seen in any place of the world." The statue is also expected to cost up to €200m according to yesterday's Vima newspaper. But, in another first that has also been welcomed by the people of Rhodes, international organisations led by the World Trade Centre Association, a network of exporters who promote peace through trade, have weighed in with financial help. "The new Colossus has been the dream of Rhodians for many years," said Yannis Hadzimarkos, president of the Dodecannese Islands' Chamber of Commerce which is also supporting the project. "It will be a marvellous opportunity for the economy of the region even if it is naive to think it will be easy." - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Sounds like this could be extraordinary cool but it depends on what they understand with "light sculpture" because a light installation would be visible only at night!! On the other hand €200m sounds like something more then just light projections... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baron-pierreIV Posted November 21, 2008 Report Share Posted November 21, 2008 Will it have a revolving restaurant in its head? savas, can u post a link? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYCD 2012 Posted November 21, 2008 Report Share Posted November 21, 2008 Hopefully, the plan wouldn't be as stupid as Saddam Hussein's project of rebuilding Babylon on top of the ruins.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
savas Posted November 21, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2008 Well if they are planning to have a realistic presentetion of a straddling guy then the view while passing by underneath him can be very interesting As the plan is just in a drawing board stage no one can tell how and when... Usually projects like this always have a "bittersweet" taste. In this case they say this will not be a replica. It will be a highly innovative structure!... Tme will tell... Here the link in english http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/200...reece-sculpture Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baron-pierreIV Posted November 21, 2008 Report Share Posted November 21, 2008 There was an Italian made epic about the Colossus which I saw as a kid: Colossus of Rhodes or Colossi di Rhodi. It was Sergio Leone's first accredited film. Story was kidna hokey but the execution of the statue was quite good. A good camp classic. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054756/ It is available on DVD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LA84 Posted November 22, 2008 Report Share Posted November 22, 2008 This sounds tacky. Just this particular concept, not the idea of building a replica. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Citius Altius Fortius Posted November 22, 2008 Report Share Posted November 22, 2008 There was an Italian made epic about the Colossus which I saw as a kid: Colossus of Rhodes or Colossi di Rhodi. It was Sergio Leone's first accredited film. Story was kidna hokey but the execution of the statue was quite good. A good camp classic. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054756/ It is available on DVD. I know this one, too - I just wonder about if the antique Colossus really stood with one foot on a pier and with the other foot on another pier and therewith right over the port entrance (like it was in this movie) or if the antique Colossus stood with both feet side by side on the end of a pier? Does somebody know that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baron-pierreIV Posted November 22, 2008 Report Share Posted November 22, 2008 CAF, Wiki says that the original Colossus, about 100 feet only, was on a hill overlooking the port. But I like the concept of having the statue's feet by the water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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