The amazing Agora - Research Paper Example

Surprisingly, Agora is not just one single object, it is basically a whole collection of total one hundred and six massive and bulky pieces of figures. They point from the south end of the Grant Park towards the south. Each mass of art weighs around eighteen hundred pounds and more than nine feet tall. Each of this piece is created so beautifully that they portray a complete natural look. They seem so real that the park district commissioner said that as you go more nearer to the sculptures it ultimately brings tears in your eyes.

In addition, looking at each Agorian figure with keen observation, they are on the whole headless and armless creatures. They are made up of cast iron which a slight shine to them. They are designed in a way that they depict a walking movement of each individual from south to north. Agora is everlasting and enduring installation of the Grant Park. As a matter of fact, the popularity and attractiveness of the park is much because of the vital gift of Magdalena Abakanowics. No matter it’s the idea and design of the Polish artist Magdalena but at the same time she had an assistance of three more people.

Each figure is same in shape but they are diverse in fine points and important details. The exteriors of the sculpture are pretty much analogous to tree bark or even somewhat like wrinkled face that is put across an unusual and diverse individualism of every statue. The creation of this ultimate beauty initiated in 2002 and took around two years for the completion. The design and formation of Agora were done in massive and enormous engineering foundry in the city of Poznan that it's situated in Poland.

It was later on transported to the United States of America in October 2006. The artist made use of some common metals for the designing of sculptures like burlap and resin, but later she shifter in using some special and even more precious metals. These metals included bronze, iron and steel. Overall it cost more than three million U.S dollars. Obviously, it wasn’t possible for only a single person to pay such huge amount of money that is why contributions were made from the actor Robin Williams and Parkways foundation.

They donated total amount of seven hundred thousand U.S dollars. Moreover, the remaining amount was contributed by the Polish Government and even the Polish foundation. Although in a few places, it has been stated that the government of the United States bought the sculptures of Agora to install them in the Grant Park. However its not true. Agora was a gift to the United States of America from the artist Magdalena Abakanowicz and the Polish Ministry of Culture (Pacyga, 401). But on the other hand the Grant park itself raised the amount of eight hundred thousand for the installation and maintenance cost of these remarkable pieces of art.

This huge amount of money would not have been possible without the cooperation of Magdalena fans and the actor Robin Williams. Many people who visited the Grant Park and saw these remarkable structures raised a question that what does Agora represents, what's the message or story behind it. Polish artist and the creator of Agora replied that it's basically a single body that embodies and becomes a symbol for a number of diverse meanings. Consequently, some historians and critics gave an even more appropriate