When observing sculptor Nikos Karoki’s works, one immediately grasps an insinuated but targeted reference to the value of time and each moment in one’s life. The almost coordinated and mutually complementary movement of the two athletes is mesmerizing. They posses the same movement, both vertically and horizontally as if they were dancers. A rare and impressive goal became the inspiration for the sculptor. Further to the obvious worth of the goal, the required discipline, intense training but also the obvious talent of the young soccer player, Karokis urges us to rethink some broader concepts via his artistic capture of the moment.
The remembrance of our mortality is what offers us the consciousness of life and the significance of utilizing available time. The moral essay “On the shortness of life” (“De Brevitate Vitae”) by Stoic philosopher Seneca is a teaching with undoubtedly eternal value and application. It is therefore desirable to benefit from any moment so that we may make time count in any aspect of our life.
In addition, the ancient Greek sport ideal is a timeless and ecumenical value illuminating the totality of principles and values with which sportsmanship was enriched. Thus, physical exercise is complemented by the cultivation of both spirit and soul. Athleticism, either as a personal or a collective activity has always been attractive to humans; soccer especially, acquired countless fans all over the world. Fair play, moral integrity, respect for others and sportsmanship not only require the highest physical state but also demand psycho-pedagogy skillfulness aiming to the development and cultivation of the human and his introduction into social life.
The more carefully we investigate the work, the more we discover the correlation of Haaland’s success with Manchester City made by the artist. Colored lines used by the sculptor are derived from the team’s logo. The artist used them to highlight the support of fans for the team while triangles refer to the support by the team’s management. In his own characteristic words: “Management supports, fans rally and success manifests”. The out-of-frame section, a typical feature of the artist’s works, points to the unreal, the unexpected success due the difficulty of the achievement. His chromatic pallete is clearly derived from the team colors and its airline sponsor. The use of azure (of the sky and sea) is for him suggestive of the power of Manchester City.
The artist creates utilizing an angular geometrical design with austere lines and a graphic but pure result as well as the intense use of color (to create volumes) to accentuate some points. Using some abstract and pop elements, he depicts both the simple human joy of a fan and the extension of such a moment. Giving emphasis to detail, he performed numerous tests in order to achieve the color hue he desired.
Nothing happens randomly. The intense symbolism of demigod Hercules, a mythological hero of the Theban Cycle known for his strength and ethos, invites us to ponder; following a horrendous [symbolic] error, Hercules strives to achieve his inner fulfillment. Likewise, many athletes, mostly at the beginning of their careers, succumb to errors; the target, however, is always there to remind them of the course, sacrifices and route to attain rewards. Thus, they provide life lessons for all of us.
_
*Dr. Maray Georgousis, former Professor of Art History at Ionian University in Greece, Art Historian, PhD at University of the Aegean Rhodes, Greece, Master 1 & 2 University Paris IV-Sorbonne Paris, France,expertise at Louvre Museum, Art Curator. Member of the Association of Greek Art Historians.
