Liu Kaiqu Exibition
Permanentely installed in Wuhu Sculpture Park Wuhu, China 2022
"Catapulta 3-19"
John Van Alstine
General Theme
My proposal embodies the spirit of "Harmonious Development," expressing the dynamic relationship between art and science through an abstract, contemporary sculptural language. It explores the balance between nature and technology, tradition and innovation, while responding to the specific goals of the Wuhu competition.
John Van Alstine explains:
Catapulta 3-19 takes its name from the word catapult—to launch or propel forward. It serves as a metaphor for Transformation and Creation. The weathered river stone represents the enduring wisdom of nature and humanity's cultural heritage, while the fabricated steel structure propels that legacy toward the future, symbolizing innovation, discovery, and emerging technologies.
Although developed specifically for the Wuhu competition, Catapulta 3-19 represents the culmination of ideas that have evolved throughout my fifty-year career. It extends my long-running Tool Series, drawing inspiration from the medieval catapult—a device that embodies ingenuity, strength, and human aspiration. Here, that ancient technology is transformed into a contemporary symbol of progress, illustrating how our collective past continues to inspire future achievement.
video courtesy China Sculpture Institute
MORE INFO: Catalulta chapter from AMERICAN MONUMENTS
Proposal
Installed 2022 Wuhu Sculpture Garden, Wuhu, China
Installed 2022 Wuhu Sculpture Garden, Wuhu, China
Installed 2022 Wuhu Sculpture Garden, Wuhu, China
Installed 2022 Wuhu Sculpture Garden, Wuhu, China
Fabrication progress 2021
Fabrication progress 2021
Fabrication progress 2021
Fabrication progress 2021
Scale model
Scale model
Scale model