Helidon Xhixha

Helidon Xhixha
Born 1970 (age 45–46)
Durrës, Albania
Nationality Albanian
Known for Sculpture

Helidon Xhixha is a contemporary artist born in Durrës, Albania, in December 1970. He lives and works in Milan and Dubai.

Biography

Born into a family of artists, Xhixha inherited his respect for the Fine Arts and passion for sculpting from his father.[1]

While waiting to begin his studies at the Academy of Arts in Tirana, he decided to move to Italy where he attended the Brera Art Academy of Milan. In 1998 Xhixha was awarded a scholarship to Kingston University, London, where he developed techniques in engraving, sculpting and photography.

Graduating from the Brera Academy in February 1999 his creations included works in Murano glass and sculptures in stainless steel using innovative and specialised techniques.[2]

Projects

In June 2007, Xhixha presented a sculpture at the Cornice Venice International Art Fair to pay tribute to the victims of 9/11. The six meter tall monument entitled ‘Renaissance of the Twin Towers’ has been exhibited in numerous cultural capitals including Florence and Berlin.[3] Utilising the imagery of the American Flag, the work becomes a symbol of civilisation whilst invoking contemporary ideas like those explored by Jasper Johns and Donald Judd.[4]

In 2014 Xhixha finalised a partnership with PMG - a New York City based development firm headed by Kevin Maloney for the project Muse,[5] located on Sunny Isles Beach, Florida. The building, containing 68 condos, was designed by Uruguayan architect Carlos Ott, and Xhixha was commissioned to make a sculpture for every apartment.[6]

In addition to this, Xhixha's five meter tall sculpture entitled ‘Vela’ was unveiled in June 2014 at the New Yacht Club of Monaco. The monument, sculpted in 316 marine grade, mirror polished stainless steel, resembles a sail and stands tall next to the entrance of the club house at Quay level. The piece is inspired by the call of the sea, the contrast between life on land and at sea, between home and the unknown, and the passion for adventure.[7]

In London, Xhixha started a collaboration with the ContiniArtUK gallery,[8] exhibiting his artworks in their space located in Mayfair.[9]

Venice Biennale

At the 56th Venice Biennale, Xhixha created "Iceberg", a monumental mirrored polished stainless steel sculpture that was left floating in the Venice lagoon until it moored to San Servolo island. It reflected the city of Venice and its endangered water environment, at the same time, emphasised the growing threat of global warming and the rise of seas level. Xhixha also installed other two monumental sculptures on San Servolo island, "Pillars of Light" and "The Four Elements". [10]

References

  1. ↑ Matteo Maria Rondanelli, "Helidon Xhixha: leggero come l'acciaio", Skira, 2009, ISBN 8857204308.
  2. ↑ "Biography Summary". Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  3. ↑ "Helidon Xhixha - Renaissance of towers". Exibart. Retrieved 2015-12-02.
  4. ↑ Badellino, Enrico (2009). "Leggero come l'acciaio (Light as Steel) - L'11 Settembre nell'opera di Helidon Xhixha". SKIRA Editore. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  5. ↑ "PMG Announces Muse, their 5th Project in Sunny Isles.". MetroCitizen Magazine. Retrieved 2015-12-02.
  6. ↑ Satow, Julie (13 June 2014). "Using Artists to Sell Condos in Miami and New York". The New York Times. Retrieved 11 December 2015.
  7. ↑ "Monaco: The sculptor of light brightens Miami, London and Monaco - Helidon Xhixha". The Monaco Times. 4 August 2014. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  8. ↑ "Apre a Londra Contini Art Uk". Corriere del Veneto (in Italian). Retrieved 2015-12-02.
  9. ↑ "Helidon Xhixha in London with Contini Art Uk". 23 May 2014. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  10. ↑ https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-syria-s-venice-biennale-pavilion-confronts-global-warming
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