The sculptors Coderch and Malavia have seen their bronze-cast pieces soar through the overcast Swedish sky to reach their new home, the sculptural festival Skulptur i Pilane, one of the most notable events in the art world, which opened to the public on May 15.
The duo, composed of Catalan Joan Coderch and Basque Javier Malavia, has been invited to exhibit their works alongside some of the most renowned sculptors on the international scene, such as British artist Tony Cragg and Catalan artist Jaume Plensa.
Ícarus, the character who inspires the piece Learning to Fly, has finally managed to soar—an allegory to the Greek myth—as it successfully arrives at the Swedish festival, a space conceived as an open-air sculpture gallery spanning over eight hectares.
With their hyperrealistic depiction of the mythological legend, Coderch and Malavia aim to highlight the pressure that the modern world places on younger generations to achieve success. A goal that often drives them to excessive ambition, much like the Greek character who burned himself and failed in his flight. The artists' interpretation of Ícarus perfectly aligns with the ongoing debate on social media about the false image of perfection and the relentless pursuit of virality projected onto very young audiences, along with the psychological consequences this may have on them.
The artists emphasize the need to educate these new generations on values such as environmental care and sustainability.
May 1, 2021
