Headbutt by Algerian sculptor Adel Abdessemed
“This statue goes against the tradition of making statues to honor victories,” said Phillipe Alain Michaud, who directed the exhibition. “It is an ode to defeat… Zidane’s downward glance recalls that of Adam, chased from paradise.” But as Michaud knows, and surely as Abdessemed intends, it is both not so simple and much simpler. It is an ode to more than defeat; but it’s also a representation of very basic feelings complicated by literary analogy. The Headbutt was full of anger, stupidity, and recklessness, but beneath them lay a damaged sense of honor. This makes it hard for even the calmest football fan to wholly begrudge Zidane his actions.
Source: The Atlantic Cities | via kottke
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A beautifully done sculpture.
The artist obviously knows his medium. I like it very much but the comment made about it: “…Zidane’s downward glance recalls that of Adam, chased from paradise.” made me burst out laughing.
For heaven’s sake! It’s a representation of a sports incident!
I’m getting a bit fed up with these over-the-top art critiques from people who can’t even draw a straight line.
– p.
lol. guess you’re not a fan of the football-as-a-metaphor-for-life philosophy! i simply love zizou, headbutt and all. xo