The crystal statue, named the father, is a depiction of Abraham holding the globe in his hands, while his head is tipped down towards it. The installation was made in 2012 by renowned sculptor Georges Miguel, under commission by the Kentucky Christian and Jewish Interfaith Cultural and Historical Center. The piece is exclusively made of recycled glass and its perfection is evidence of the work and commitment that Miguel put in the process.
To create the piece, a hand-crafted wax model was created and molten glass poured in before allowing it to heat in a kiln. The wax model was then carefully taken off, leaving in the place a unique wonderful art piece. Placing the installation in place was a challenge on its own and it required 15 men and ten hours to ensure that it was firmly affixed in place without as much as a graze. For safety purposes, a barrier has been installed on a one-meter diameter around the piece. This will both protect the piece from accidental damage, as well as the viewers from any injury in the unlikely event that the piece gets broken.
In Christianity, like in Judaism, Abraham is regarded as a father of nations, as a result of direct promise from God to him in response to his unwavering faith (Paterson, 2011). The installation is a life-size representation of the image of Abraham, holding the globe. Symbolically, the art piece is a depiction of the important position that Abraham holds as a patriarch and a unifier of nations. The globe in his hands may be small in size but it plays a critical role in bringing out the intended message. Abraham was named the father of many nations, but from both Christianity and Judaism, he is fundamentally the father of the world (Peters, 2010).
The expression on his face is one of concern and he is looking down at the globe on, in a caring manner, just like a father would to his child. This represents the fact and belief that Abraham, as our father, will never let the world fall to destruction, because he is always keeping an eye on it. In addition, in the piece, Abraham is standing, bringing out the message that as a father, he is ready to constantly sacrifice his comfort for the sake of the child (In this case, the world). If this was not the case, the statue would have been set up in a sitting position.
The Father is a suitable sculpture for its current position because of the symbolic value it adds to the entrance of the museum. In its current location, the piece serves to welcome visitors to the realization that everything in the museum is drawn from the common elements in the two religions. The presentation of the installation at the door also contributes to the aesthetic appeal of the area. Initially, the entrance had the bland look associated with most museums, and the installation of the piece drastically transformed it.
Its presence there actually makes the facility attractive even to individuals who were not initially interested in it. The fact that the piece was made using recycled glass is also evidence of the fact institution is concerned about maintaining the integrity of would Abraham’s world. This is also a representation of the two religions’ positive relationship with the world.
Reference list
Paterson, A. (2011). Three Monotheistic Faiths – Judaism, Christianity, Islam. United Kingdom: AuthorHouse.
Peters, F.E. (2010). The Children of Abraham: Judaism, Christianity, Islam. New Jersey: Princeton University Press.