“Free Citizen” Is Coming To America

“Free Citizen” Is Coming To America

Georgian Citizens: internationally acclaimed sculptor Levan Vardosanidze and medical doctor, professor, visual artist, “Ambassador of Happiness”, Arsen Gvenetadze of Tbilisi, Georgia created a sculpture representing a healing and uniting symbol of humanity. The collaborating pair of artists recently invited 35 friends from 5 continents, 19 countries, and 24 cities of the world to write a compelling essay why you should receive their sculpture, “Free Citizen”, for placement in your city. Mr. Joseph Boccuzzi entered an essay and argued for his native New York City. A similar sculpture by the artists was gifted to Tbilisi International Airport not long ago, where Mr. Boccuzzi now is a permanent resident with his Georgian wife and daughter. He says, “We are in agreement that a Free Citizen sculpture should also be on public display to greet travelers coming and going from JFK airport. The timeliness of the gift now is coming on the heels of this city emerging from a lockdown due to the COVID19 pandemic. Also, the most poignant emergence from the recent local and national protests and riots over police brutality and racism.”

Mr. Boccuzzi said it well. “The sculptured human form is almost life-size. It is easy to interpret it as a visual representation of freedom to move in any direction, signified by a glass compass heart embodied in a transparent and ambiguous human form, outlined in heavy bronze. The heaviness of our outer human form contains the lightness of our inner life force. Hopefully, the compass heart will help us find our way to becoming a united people living together in a peaceful nation and planet.”

Dr. Arsen Gvenetadze left and Mr. Levan Vardosanidze, right at Tbilisi International Airport, the Republic of Georgia. Pedestal mounting of the sculpture, site selection in one of JFK’s international terminal buildings, and dedication of installation of the sculpture is still pending formal approval of acceptance of the gift by the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey from the Tbilisi, Georgia, delegates.

In the meantime, a copies of “Free Citizen” have already been delivered to France and Lithuanian for placement in airports there. An additional sculpture is now under construction and destined for Rome, Italy.

Photo above – Another sculpture, “Happiness” was installed at TSMU by the artists last year and it stands permanently at the main entrance square of the campus. Up to 2,000 art works of Levan Vardosanidze are kept in private collections and museums in more than 20 countries.

Other notable sculptures by Mr. Levan Vardosanidze:

• Olimpic
• “Sports and Art”
• Levan Vardosanidze

2000 – Sculpture called “Baseball Player” was awarded II Prize at the  International Exhibition – Competition “Sports and Art” held by  International Olympic Committee in Lausanne, Switzerland. This

sculpture was afterwards exhibited in Sydney, Australia, during the Olympic Games. At present, “Baseball Player” is permanently  exhibited at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland.

2008 – Sculpture called “Champion” was awarded III Prize at the International Exhibition – Competition “Sports and Art” in Lausanne, Switzerland. This sculpture was after awards exhibited in Beijing, China, during the Olympic Games. At  present, “Champion” is   permanently exhibited at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland.

2008 – Levan Vardosanidze was  awarded with the Olympic Order of  GNOC for creation of works dedicated to sports and Olympic thematic.

2012 – Sculpture called “Olympic Himn” was awarded II Prize at the  International Exhibition – Competition “Sports and Art” held by  International Olympic Committee in Lausanne, Switzerland. This

sculpture was afterwards exhibited in London, during the Olympic Games. At present, “Olimpic Himn” is permanently  exhibited at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland.

In addition, there are eleven sculptures and monument standing in Tbilisi to date.