By Joe F. Bodenstein
By Joe F. Bodenstein
Emma de Sigaldi with one of her bronze sculptures in the Galery Ludwig Lange in Berlin. Photograph was taken on April 30, 2004.
Monte Carlo / Berlin / New York (bpb) The Princedom of Monaco discovers art as a means to generate goodwill for the rich ministate. The Prince Albert took the initiative for this gesture, and made it clear at a cultural event in Berlin. The likeable Prince made a promise come true, when he donated to the city of Berlin the large bronze sculpture "La Colline". It was shown in the garden of the Kolbe Museum in Berlin.
The abstract work by the sculptor Emma de Sigaldi makes an interresting contrast with the realistic works of Georg Kolbe, who as "the old master of German sculpture" enjoyed very high respect also in the time of the Third Reich in Germany. In this museum, the sculpture will get more attention that it would in some public space in the metropolis.
Actually, Prince Rainier III of Monaco has done since his marriage on April 19, 1956 to the multimillionaire and Hollywood star Grace Kelly much more for art and culture than is generally known. Also after the tragical car accident on September 14, 1982 in which Princess Gracia Patricia was killed, Monaco's ruling family continued to remain in the headlines as the "place of the rich, powerful and a tax-haven." In forming the new image to present Monte Carlo and Monaco as a place of art and culture, the artist Emma de Sigaldi also very actively helps. She has been working in Monte Carlo since 1954. With exhibitions in USA, Europe and Asia, she continues to bring respect to her chosen new homeland.
The Berlin Gallery Ludwig Lange devoted the artist an exhibition in connection with the handing over of the bronze sculpture in the Kolbe Museum. At the opening, the art historian Dr. Josephine Gabler revealed the connection of the old lady to Berlin, where after the Second World War she was active for a while as a classical dancer. The high point of her career as a dancer was in the years between the late 1930s and 1945, with preformances in the Bavarian State Opera in Munich, State Theater in Karlsruhe and as dance teacher in Saarbrücken. In 1939 she successfully took part in the International Dance Congress in Brussels, reported Gabler.
"La Colline", bronze sculpture from 1997. Size 35x73x30 centimeters. Three exemplaires. The Galery Ludwig Lange showed this preliminary work for a monumental sculpture in the Kolbe Museum in Berlin.
This cultural initiative of Prince Albert is also supported by Monaco's Ambassador Rainier Imperti in Berlin. In addition, in 2004 there will be another exhibition of the artist's works in the Gallery Emil Ruf in Munich. The European Art Foundation (EKS) will expand its 'Emma de Sigaldi Archives'.
The director for international affairs of the European Art Foundation, Consul B. John Zavrel made the recommendation that Prince Rainier of Monaco should name an Honorary Ambassador, like the UNICEF does. These Cultural Ambassadors could make the engagement of the Prince's family on the behalf of Wesstern-European art more widely known. "It does not have to be only very famous people, like for instance our good friend, the late Sir Peter Ustinov, who was engaged as a UNICEF Ambassador on behalf of children and other global goals of the UN", said Zavrel. "As Cultural Ambassadors can serve those men and women, who have some understanding about these matters. They must really become engaged in the work in a practical way, but also in a good style, and be willing and able to work for the good idea", stressed Zavrel.
Copyright 2004 West Art, Prometheus 93