sculptures by santiago calatrava emerge through ancient greek statues at the glyptothek in munich

the glyptotheque presents the sculptural works of Santiago Calatrava

Santiago Calatrava is one of the most renowned and sought after architects in the world. Widely known for its ability to combine advanced engineering solutions with dramatic visual statements, the spanish architect designed a variety of sculptural buildings and bridges that reach far beyond physical boundaries, truly touching those who encounter them.

Since his first major project (the Stadelhofen station in Zurich in 1990), Calatrava has designed a wide range of structures including the Milwaukee Art Museum, the Turning Torso tower in Sweden, the World Trade Center Transportation Hub in New Yorkthe City of Arts and Sciences and the Opera of Valencia, the Chicago O’Hare Airport, the UAE Pavilion for Expo Dubai 2020and much more.

In addition to his vast collection of prestigious architectural commissions, the architect has created several impressive sculptural works throughout his career, including the Constellation in Chicago and The New York Times Capsule. Calatrava’s most recent work is an art exhibition at the Glyptothek Museum in Munich. Entitled “Beyond Hellas: Santiago Calatrava in the Glyptothek,” the exhibition features 50 sculptures and paintings influenced by the dynamics of ancient Greece that served as a constant source in Calatrava’s architectural style, alongside concepts of the human body and nature. The exhibition was opened to the public in June and will be visible until October 23, 2022.

Sculpture prototypes in the modelers’ studio, courtesy of Architectural Summary | Nick Mafi’s photo

Walk around Santiago Calatrava’s studio

Calatrava spends most of his time in his studio located in a quiet street near the center of Zurich. In an interview with Architectural Digest (read more here), the Spanish architect explains how he starts each day with creative diligence. “On the third floor of my house, I have a studio that I use to paint from nine to noon. Calatrava’s passion for art and sculpture is evident in his daily routine.

Wandering through Santiago Calatrava’s studio is like wandering through his mind. There are paintings of a charging bull, a skeletal hand, suspended dancing bodies, and a flying dove. “I find a lot of beauty and inspiration in the natural world,” he explains. Anyone who has seen his completed structures can see this inspiration. In this way, Calatrava is more of an alchemist than an architect, possessing a unique ability to transform steel, glass and concrete into something soft and delicate, even ephemeral. All his works, from architectural projects to paintings and sculptural collections, testify to this talent.

Calatrava’s designs combine the qualities of art and architecture, unlocking the perfect balance between openness and enclosure, between serenity and security. “No painting, no sculpture, no musical ballad allows to physically enter the work of art, with the exception of architecture”, said Calatrava. “This, to me, makes it exceptional.”

in this workshop in Zurich, where the architectural models are produced, courtesy of Architectural Summary | Nick Mafi’s photo

conceptual variations of ancient warriors

“Beyond Hellas: Santiago Calatrava in the Glyptothek” is the first exhibition dedicated solely to the sculptural and pictorial works of the famous Spanish architect, engineer and artist. The works are exhibited as part of a dynamic dialogue between the architecture of the neoclassical temple-like building from 1830 and the sculptures of the museum.

The main focus of the exhibition is Calatrava’s new sculptural series, “The Aegineten”, which comprises a body of work that has been in development for 30 years. It consists of 14 large format wrought iron works on an aged oak base. These sculptures are created to appear as modern, almost conceptual variations of the ancient warriors of the temple of Aphaia of Aegina, drawing on the spirit of the circular dynamic compositions of the shields of the ancient warriors of the temple which have been brought to light with modern vocabulary. By using raw materials and elements, the architect was able to create works deeply connected to nature, movement and world history.

the architect’s painting desk in his Zurich office, courtesy of Architectural Summary | Nick Mafi’s photo