Strange statues at the Central National Bank in Slovakia

[katarinak]

Every week I walk by some very strange statues at the Central National Bank in Bratislava in Slovakia. For about a month, I have been intensively trying to find out any details of what are these statues. I have found that nothing can be found, not even pictures of these statues are not available on internet. I have also asked AI's and have found nothing. Nothing, no information. Please, if here is anyone who has any information about these statues, I would be extremely grateful. Yesterday I took pictures of them and here are the pictures.

Have a nice day to to all

 

[axj]

Seems to be a variation of this:

Atlas (architecture) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

The tree roots for feet are kind of strange though. Are there any local legends that these may be from?

 

[caballero reyes]

Katarinak said:
Every week I walk by some very strange statues at the Central National Bank in Bratislava in Slovakia.
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It looks like a stylized version of INANA, the Sumerian geneticist goddess, only missing the dewclaws.

 

[katarinak]

Seems to be a variation of this:

Atlas (architecture) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

The tree roots for feet are kind of strange though. Are there any local legends that these may be from?

Thank you very much for your answer I haven't really found anything, not even about legends.

Exactly, the feet look like roots or claws. Each statue has 6 roots/claws. Why are there roots/claws instead of legs?

Why are there only statues of women? It seemed natural to me if there are 2 statues that one would be a man and one a woman.

Why does the statue have only 1 eye?

Why is there no information or pictures when this is a significant state institution - the National Bank of Slovakia?

Lots of questions and no answers.

 

[katarinak]

Katarinak said:
Every week I walk by some very strange statues at the Central National Bank in Bratislava in Slovakia.
------------------------------------
It looks like a stylized version of INANA, the Sumerian geneticist goddess, only missing the dewclaws.

Thank you very much for your answer, why do you think it's a version of INANA? Did you mean this picture?

 

[katarinak]

I tried to look for the connection of the Jewish mythology, as it is the building of the main Slovak bank and I found the connection to Lilith. The well-known Lilith from Jewish folklore was most likely borrowed from these Mesopotamian characterizations.


And this is Grog answer:
Research suggests that in Jewish mythology there is a female figure with claws for feet, and that figure is Lilith. Lilith is known as the first wife of Adam and a demoness who threatens children and women in childbirth. In artistic depictions, such as the Burney relief, she is often depicted with bird feet or claws, although the texts do not explicitly state this.

Context and meaning
Lilith has roots in Mesopotamian mythology, and in Jewish texts such as the Talmud and the Zohar, she is considered a demoness. Although traditional texts describe her as more of a nocturnal creature or seductor, artistic representations, especially from Babylonia, depict her with claws, which may reflect her demonic nature.

 

[karo]

Hi @katarinak , in order to find the author of the sculptures I would suggest going into main city library and asking for some info there. Maybe you will find some books about modern sculptures in Bratislava or maybe there will be a person who knows something about it :)
I run small search and typed "central National Bank in Bratislava" and the results showed me this big main bank in the city. Is it the one you mean or the one you asking abou is some office located somewhere else in the city? I am asking because I saw on Bratislava's main site that the Main National Central Bank have sculptures exhibitions in their patio, so maybe this is somehow connected - artistnwho had exhibitions there maybe also were asked to make one for the front doors, who knows.
Sometimes local artist are involved in placing sculptures around the city. Also they may be some old sculptures brought back to life and placed there, who knows!
You picked my interest, I like the wooden form of these sculptures but they are disturbing to look at, as if it is some kind of demon
Good luck with your search, I wish you to find the answer. Greetings :)

 

[katarinak]

in order to find the author of the sculptures I would suggest going into main city library and asking for some info there. Maybe you will find some books about modern sculptures in Bratislava or maybe there will be a person who knows something about it :)

Dear Karo, thank you very much for the great idea. I will try to look for the answer as well in the Bratislava's city library

I run small search and typed "central National Bank in Bratislava" and the results showed me this big main bank in the city. Is it the one you mean or the one you asking abou is some office located somewhere else in the city?

This is the front side of the main building of the bank and I think you've seen these pictures of the building. The building is on I.Karvasa Street.

The sculptures I wrote about are on the back entrance of the building - Vazovova Street. And these pictures aren't possible to find on the internet. I found only 1 way via google maps - the hotel Akademik which is opposite the bank building- here is the pisture and link in case you're curious : -)

 

[Z...]

Seems Ljubljana’s downtown is full of morbid sculptures, i found the ones on Butcher’s bridge especially creep.
Edit: Ups I just realised I read Slovenia instead Slovakia . Wrong thread to post this but now its too late to delete it.

 

[mkrnhr]

To me it looks like the ugly modern art we see everywhere.

 

[Mikkael]

Every week I walk by some very strange statues at the Central National Bank in Bratislava in Slovakia. For about a month, I have been intensively trying to find out any details of what are these statues. I have found that nothing can be found, not even pictures of these statues are not available on internet. I have also asked AI's and have found nothing. Nothing, no information. Please, if here is anyone who has any information about these statues, I would be extremely grateful. Yesterday I took pictures of them and here are the pictures.

Back in days I worked at Technical Faculty in Bratislava which is around the corner of the Central Bank so I took notice of the statues during my walks, but never gave it much thought. I don't know any details about them or who the author is or what was the idea, just that I've seen similar variations of statues flanking entrances and showing human figures with animal like parts. Coincidentally I currently live next to a building of Police Department with has by the gate two statues of male and female with amphibian like legs reminding me an octopus. Here's the photo, btw these statues looks like someone copied them from Roman city classical fountain and fitted them into a building of socialist era, stark contrast with otherwise unremarkable building.

 

[monotonic]

My thoughts at first glance without knowing anything about statues is that the figures holding up the building are pawns and their feet are claws because the pawns are effectively an extension of the beast they support. BTW, the reasons an artist has for making something can be very different from the reasons another person has for buying it and using it. Especially if the buyer places it in a different context than the artist had for it. But maybe this is all just empty wiseacring.

 

[katarinak]

Seems Ljubljana’s downtown is full of morbid sculptures, i found the ones on Butcher’s bridge especially creep.
Edit: Ups I just realised I read Slovenia instead Slovakia . Wrong thread to post this but now its too late to delete it.

It doesn't matter, it's interesting to see similar art in another cities too I wonder if people really like this kind of art.

 

[katarinak]

Back in days I worked at Technical Faculty in Bratislava which is around the corner of the Central Bank so I took notice of the statues during my walks, but never gave it much thought. I don't know any details about them or who the author is or what was the idea, just that I've seen similar variations of statues flanking entrances and showing human figures with animal like parts. Coincidentally I currently live next to a building of Police Department with has by the gate two statues of male and female with amphibian like legs reminding me an octopus. Here's the photo, btw these statues looks like someone copied them from Roman city classical fountain and fitted them into a building of socialist era, stark contrast with otherwise unremarkable building.

Yes, I think from the windows of the Technical University you can see these sculptures too. Thank you for sharing another "remarkable work of art" in front of the police department.

I'm surprised why we can't find any information or pictures. I think it will be the same with these sculptures you posted.

 

[katarinak]

My thoughts at first glance without knowing anything about statues is that the figures holding up the building are pawns and their feet are claws because the pawns are effectively an extension of the beast they support. BTW, the reasons an artist has for making something can be very different from the reasons another person has for buying it and using it. Especially if the buyer places it in a different context than the artist had for it. But maybe this is all just empty wiseacring.

I certainly find it interesting to know what the artist's intentions were and also what the task was from those who had ordered the work.