Joannis Avramidis, Trias, 1970

Lot description

With punched signature 'AVRAMIDIS' and numbered. Cast 1/4 (+2). Following the intensive study of the human body and ancient classical statues, Joannis Avramidis develops the mathematically constructed, perfectly balanced formula of the human figure. All-visible, self-contained and de-individualised, it becomes a timeless, eternally valid human symbol, which he realises in the most diverse variations. However, the sculptor does not focus only on the individual human, but also the human community in accordance with the idea of the ancient polis state. He visualises the concept of the equal, independent unity of individuals in groups of closely placed figures of the same height, bound in a single unit. ‘Trias’ reduces the figural focus to the area of the head and neck. The design was created on the occasion of the planning of a public square that will never be executed, modelled on the ancient Greek agora. “Avramidis plans a monumental depiction of a head at the centre of the square. The small model of ‘Trias 1970/71’ is the one planned variation. The three interlocking head forms are logical developments of the head zone of the fully symmetrical sculpture […] into a triple unit. The triad of heads as a symbol of human community should dominate the square and rise to a height of eight meters.” (Wilfried Skreiner, in: Trigonpersonale 5, Joannis Avramidis, exhib.cat. Neue Galerie am Landesmuseum Joanneum, Graz 1974, n.p.). Even on a small scale, ‘Trias’ impressively transports the fundamental human idea into the surrounding space in its consolidation and universal view.