By YUKIKO KITAMURA/ Staff Writer
October 12, 2024 at 16:58 JST
Etsuro Sotoo and his statues of “singing angels” ©SOTOOKIKAKU
KYOTO--Nine plaster cast statues of “singing angels” from Sagrada Familia, a World Heritage Site in the Spanish city of Barcelona, will go on permanent display at Kyoto City University of Arts here in January.
The sculptor, Etsuro Sotoo, a graduate of the university in Kyoto’s Shimogyo Ward, donated them to the institution.
According to the university, the cathedral of Sagrada Familia now houses stone statues created by Sotoo.
The angels, created as a prototype for the stone statues, were installed at one of the cathedral’s gates for 10 years until 2000.
The university moved to a new location near JR Kyoto Station in October 2023.
“When I thought about what I could do in response to the campus relocation, this is what came to mind,” Sotoo said.
He said he hopes the university will make use of the statues as an educational tool.
“I want not only students but also the public to see them,” said Tamame Akamatsu, president of the university.
The university embarked on a crowdfunding campaign to raise 30 million yen ($201,000) to pay for repairs of the plaster statues as well as appropriate exhibition space. The figure also includes general research.
Depending on the amount raised, donors will receive a return gift such as an original tote bag or a clear file.
The site will be open until Jan. 8.
For more information:
https://the-kyoto.en-jine.com/projects/utau-tenshitachi
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