Arc of Freedom

Material: metal

Dimensions:

Object: Javier Noe Alvarez Godoy’s Arc of Freedom forms part of the Gdańsk Open-Air Sculpture Gallery. It was created as part of the “Crossroads of Freedom” Festival of Spatial Forms, inspired by the idea of freedom in Gdańsk. The event took place from 2009 to 2019 and included an international spatial form and artistic installation competition, an international wood sculpture plein-air, a seminar on art in public space and numerous accompanying events. Freedom, the main idea of the festival, was also the theme of the annual competition. It was understood not only in terms of the subject matter, but also form of execution and freedom of artistic expression.

Arc of Freedom won third prize in the festival competition and was consequently erected in the Ronald Reagan Park. In its form, the sculpture loosely refers to triumphal arches: monumental free-standing gates built to commemorate an important person or a victorious event. Javier Noe Alvarez Godoy’s Arc of Freedom is intended to honour freedom. Unlike traditional triumphal arches, the Mexican artist gave his sculpture a semi-circular shape. It is devoid of decorative elements and characterized by simplicity, also in terms of colour. The arc has an additional element in the form of a white structure similar to a gutter, which runs under it. In addition, the white colour makes the sculpture blend into the background so that, rather unlike traditional triumphal arches, it is difficult to notice. The simplicity of the form and craftsmanship fits very well with the park landscape and the tradition of using colour in outdoor architecture.

Place: The Gdańsk Open-Air Sculpture Gallery, established as part of the “Crossroads of Freedom” Festival of Spatial Forms, is located in the park named after President Ronald Reagan, an honorary citizen of Gdańsk. The gallery may be found in the part of the park situated in the Brzeźno neighbourhood. The 85 ha park stretches along the coastal belt of Gdańsk, encompassing the districts of Przymorze Wielkie, the western part of Brzeźno and the eastern part of the Żabianka-Wejhera-Jelitkowo-Tysiąclecia quarter. This area used to be occupied by temporary allotment gardens and wasteland. The plan to develop the seaside area for recreational purposes was drawn up in 2001 and implemented in stages until 2014. In addition to areas where one can relax, engage in physical activity or make a bonfire, the park was diversified with outflow ponds with living shorelines and nesting islands for waterbirds. In 2008, the Ronald Reagan Park in Gdańsk received a distinction from the Society of Polish Town Planners (TUP), which recognized it as the best managed green space in Poland.

Information about the author: Javier Noe Alvarez Godoy (b. in Mexico) is an architect, sculptor and interior designer. He graduated from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, majoring in rehabilitation of urban architecture. His interests also involve physics, mathematics and earth sciences. He took part in the 11^th Kajima Sculpture Competition, producing a sculptural arc similar to the one erected in Gdańsk. His works may be seen in the public space of Guadalajara, Mexico.

Condition of the object: renovated

Owner/guardian: Gdańsk Community Foundation

Author of the entry: Dorota Kucharczyk