Costas VarotsosEnergy
Costas Varotsos
Greece (1955)
/ THE WORK
Energy, 2001
glass and iron
The natural evolutionary process of stratification is the basic concept of Energy, a monumental vertical sculpture that rises from the ground reaching a height of 8 meters, providing a visual experience that also provokes a physical one. The place chosen by the artist is particularly sunny and allows the eight hundred glass plates to continuously change appearance. The light is reflected or absorbed depending on the position of the sun, so the jagged layers of the sculpture alternately go from being dark and opaque to being illuminated and brilliant with points of light “sprayed” across the entire surface. St. Gobain’s 800 layers of glass weigh approximately 15 tons and are held together by layers of silicone, while an iron tube – embedded in 1.5 meters of concrete – with twenty-seven flanges supports the weight of the glass.
Varotsos works with different materials, including plastic, stone and steel, but glass is the one he prefers for its transparency, evocative of some conceptual polarities such as “life / death” or “light / dark”. Energy – embodying a complete dialogue between nature and art – reminds us of the mystery, beauty and dynamism of natural forces that have existed since the beginning of time and which will continue to be the fundamental condition of our existence.
Costas Varotsos
Greece (1955)
BIOGRAPHY
Costas Varotsos was born in Athens, Greece in 1955. He lives and works in Greece. He studied at the “Accademia di Belle Arti” in Rome and at the “Università di Architettura di Pescara”, Italy. In 1990/1991 he was granted a “Fullbright” scholarship and spent almost one year in New York, USA. In 1999, he was appointed professor at the University of Thessaloniki in Greece. Costas Varotsos has taken part in numerous personal and collective exhibitions in many countries and has received excellent appraisals by art critics such as Achille Bonito Oliva, Andrea Bellini, Matoula Skaltsa, Florent Bex, Athena Schina and many others. Since 1978 he has exhibited regularly in solo and group exhibitions, in Greece and abroad, and his works are present in public spaces and private collections in Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Egypt and the United States. He took part three times in the Venice Biennale (1993, 1995, 1999), in that of Sao Paulo (1997) and in the Documenta Kassel (2017). In 2014 he was appointed Knight of the Italian Republic for his contribution to the Italian arts and in 2017 he was awarded the Medal of Commander of the Order of Merit given by the President of the Greek Republic.
His desire is for his works of art to be in direct connection with the natural environment in which they are installed, always seeking a sort of osmosis with the surrounding space. One of his most important sculptures is “Dromeas”, installed at the Omonia Square in Athens. It is 12 meters high and built in the same way as the sculpture Energy located in the Chianti Sculpture Park.
USEFUL INFORMATION
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HOW TO REACH US
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By paved road from Siena, take the SP408 to Ponte a Bozzone. Turn left at the church and follow the signs for Pievasciata / Sculpture Park. We are about 15 km from Siena.
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THE WALK
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The walk round the Park is about 1,5 km and it is suitable for baby buggies and wheelchair users. Upon request we offer a tour of the Park in an electric buggy for those with mobility issues. Contact us for further information.
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OPENING HOURS AND TICKETS
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Open every day (including Sundays and holidays) from 10am to 6pm. Last entry one hour before closing.
Tickets: €10 adults | € 5 reduced – under 18 yrs | Free 0-4 yrs
Booking is not necessary. The Chianti Sculpture Park APP – available for free on Apple Store and Google Play Store – is an excellent audio guide!
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GROUPS
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Groups of more than 12 people are asked to book entry in advance, to facilitate organisation.
Guided tours are available in Italian and English upon reservation.
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A VISIT FOR EVERYONE
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The visit to the Park lasts an hour and a half on average and it is absolutely suitable for children! Our four-legged friends are welcome providing they are kept on a lead and any ‘deposits’ are removed! The park does not have a restaurant, but we will be happy to recommend some restaurants that can be reached by car in a few minutes. A picnic area is available.
CHIANTI SCULPTURE PARK
Strada provinciale 9, 48
53019 Pievasciata - Castelnuovo Berardenga (Si)
P.I. 01181460526 C.F. 92044080528
Phone: +39 0577 357151 E-mail: info@parcosculturechianti.it
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