First Woodcarver Symposium in Szombathely

1st - 6th October 2007

EARTH AND SKY FOCUSED

50 years of space age

It was the beep-beep of the space satellite Sputnik on 4th October 1957 which marked the dawn of space age. Astronauts and automatically controlled spacecraft have been searching the secrets of the solar system ever since. Where do we live? A question to science and human fantasy. Without fantasy there is no science, and science is becoming humane through arts.

The chisels of six sculptors from three European countries have unveiled the Universe embedded in the material. Thoughts about existence, being, the World we live in have been formed and manifested.

The artists have created their pieces of art inspired by this special year in the courtyard of the Observatory. The material used is also a real one: the trees planted in the garden fifty years ago grew quickly and embraced the windows opening to the sky. Their fate, as a symbol of eternal change, is a good example of continuous changes in the universe, brought into existence by the hands of the artists. Infinity from the finite, i.e. trees cut out in the course of park management, has became real in front of the eyes of spectators.

Artistic director of the symposium Elisabeth Ledersberger-Lehoczky, an Austrian-Hungarian sculptor is experienced in organising international cultural projects, and vice-chairwoman of the Vocational College of Austrian Artists and the leader of the Sculptors Section of Schönbrunn castle.

Artists of the symposium:

• Heidi Tschank (Austria)
• Bruno Cappelletti (Italy)
• Elisabeth Ledersberger-Lehoczky (Austria/Hungary)
• Ulrike Chladek (Austria)
• János Kalmár (Hungary)
• Thomas Albert Toldy #1, #2 (Austria)

The Observatory organised a "week of open gates" between 1st and 6th October. The visitors of this special inter-disciplinary program could establish personal contacts with the artists and watch the different birth-phase of the pieces of art. In case the weather permitted, there were nightly telescopic presentations organised.

The sculptures carved in the garden are exhibited in the place of making and present sustained values, enriching the scientific, creative atmosphere of the university research site.

Patrons of the event:

• Dr. Ferenc Hudecz president, Loránd Eötvös University
• Dr. György Ipkovich mayor, Town of Szombathely

The symposium was co-organised by Europlanet and Gothard Astrophysical Observatory.

Organiser: Dr. István Jankovics director

Sponsored by:

• Loránd Eötvös University
• Town of Szombathely
• Europlanet - European Planetary Network
• Vas Megyei Tudományos Ismeretterjesztő Egyesület

The images showing the work of the symposium can be seen on the "Image galleries" page.

A slideshow created by László Czika from his own images can be downloaded in MS WMV format (21 MB).

A short movie in MS WMV format demonstrating the workflow resulting in sculptures (85 MB).

All images were taken by László Czika, István Jankovics and József Kovács.