From March 26, 2024, to October 31, 2025, an exhibition of sculptures by Igor Mitoraj, titled ‘The Gaze – Humanitas-Physis,’ will be held at the Neapolis archaeological area in Syracuse.
The event, which will constitute the largest open-air sculpture exhibition by the Polish artist, originates from a unique project featuring the display of 30 monumental works. It will be further enhanced by the presence of two imposing sculptures currently located on the island of Ortigia (the oldest part of the city of Syracuse) and in the Etna Park.
The exhibition will be open to visitors from March 26, starting at 8:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. (half an hour before the ticket office closes), until March 31, 2025. New summer opening hours will be communicated later.
For the first time, with a single admission ticket, visitors will have the opportunity to explore the archaeological area and admire Igor Mitoraj’s works in an exciting and unique world-class setting.
The exhibition is promoted by the Archaeological Park of Syracuse Eloro Villa of Tellaro and Akrai and produced by Atelier Mitoraj in collaboration with Mediatica and Tate, under the patronage of the Sicilian Region, Department of Cultural Heritage and Sicilian Identity, Department of Territory and Environment, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Etna Park, Forest Domain, Ragalna Municipality, and Syracuse Municipality.
On April 16, the exhibition inauguration will take place at the Syracuse archaeological area, preceded by a press conference on April 12 at the Auditorium of the Ara Pacis in Rome, during which the objectives, contents, and characteristics of this important internationally acclaimed project will be detailed.
Biographical notes on Igor Mitoraj
Igor Mitoraj was a renowned Polish sculptor born on March 26, 1944, in Oederan, Germany, and passed away on October 6, 2014, in Paris, France.
After the conclusion of the war in 1945, his family returned to Poland, where he later pursued studies in painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow. He then moved to Paris, where he began to focus on sculpture.
His art was primarily influenced by classical Greek and Roman art, as well as contemporary art. He primarily used bronze, marble, and stone to create his works.
Mitoraj’s sculpture is characterized by the fusion of classical elements with a contemporary sensibility. His truly unique artistic style allowed him to achieve great international success, blending ancient aesthetic concepts with a modern reinterpretation.
His monumental sculptures representing human figures or abstract forms often feature missing or damaged parts, inspired by discoveries of ancient Greek and Roman works, creating a sense of mystery and ambiguity.
Among his most famous works are: “Head of Buddha” (1983), “The Centaur” (1994), “Blindfolded Eros” (1999), and “Daedalus” (2013).
Igor Mitoraj received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, and his works have been exhibited in major museums (including Paris, London, New York, and Tokyo) and international art galleries.
He participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions worldwide, thus contributing to the dissemination of his art and his influence on the contemporary art scene.
After his death in 2014, Mitoraj’s artistic legacy remained significant, with many of his works continuously appreciated and studied by art critics and enthusiasts. His ability to unite the ancient and the modern continues to influence many artists today.
Igor Mitoraj was one of the most important contemporary sculptors, whose work is characterized by the fusion of classical elements with a modern artistic vision.
His artistic legacy remains alive through his works and the impact he had on the international art scene.
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