Russian artist to install monument of kindness

CEBU, Philippines - A two-meter bronze monument which “symbolizes the fragility of friendship, love and kindness” will be presented to the Cebu Provincial Government on April 5 as a prelude to its installation at the Capitol Grounds for the 442nd founding anniversary of the Province in August.

The bronze monument “Dandelion” weighs around 300 kilograms and is described to be dedicated to espousing “dobrota,” the Russian for “kindness”.

It will be handed over by Russian sculptor/painter Gregory Victorovich Pototsky to Governor Gwendolyn Garcia in a formal turnover ceremony at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel in Lahug on Tuesday evening.

With the help of interpreter Olga Bare, it was learned from Pototsky that the stylized representation of the dandelion flower is one of his most grand ideas and that this bears the “unique claim aimed at changing behaviors of mankind.”

According to him, each branch represents a hand waving “hello” and that in each hand is an eye which could be viewed as an “open and kind heart.”

“The monument serves to create energy of kindness that will transcend to the real world,” he said. “The base is shaped like leaves that appear as though open lips giving away kisses from which love begins.”

The artist added that all these symbols are grouped to show that together, they make us understand that “love and kindness cement our relations.”

Pototsky, founder of the non-profit organization International Academy of Kindness, chose this flower as the basis for his monuments because it spreads easily across any frontier and is difficult to get rid of once it has settled itself on the ground.

“We would like that our philosophy of kindness and goodwill would also, as the dandelion does, spreads itself worldwide and that people will dedicate themselves to promoting worldwide peace and friendship between people and nations,” he expressed during the interview.

“The whole wide world is my exhibition hall. As an artist, I need that people will understand that behind every single piece I create stands a great idea; what need would there be of monuments if they cannot express important and understood values,” Pototsky further said.

“Sometimes, the subject is not that important. What is important is what it says. Or that it talks,” he added. “The charm of the sculpture is that it shouts silently and moves without moving.”

Other variations of the ‘dobrota’ were inaugurated in France, China, Germany, Russia, Switzerland, Colombia and Ecuador. Several copies of it were installed in hotspots of the world such as in Estonia, Latvia, Ukraine, and even on the border of Austria and Slovenia. “This is because kindness and humanity should transcend all borders and conflicts,” Pototsky said, adding, “Allow the warmth of kindness to change the climate in here, as Russian art comes to your country,” he called.

According to Honorary Consul to Russia Federation Armi Lopez Garcia, the installation would strengthen our growing relationship with the Russian community.

Earlier, a two-meter bronze-granite bust of Leo Tolstoy, a Russian writer most remembered for his classic pieces “Anna Karenina” and “War and Peace,” was inaugurated during the opening ceremonies of the three-day Philippine-Russian Business Forum and Exhibition in Mandaue City last year to mark Tolstoy’s centenary.

The move also serves as a gesture of cooperation in cultivating understanding of Philippine and Russian history, culture and arts.

“This is part of our programs to reshape the image of Russians – from being stereotyped as stern and cruel – to people like us who have great souls and who aspire to co-exist in a just and humane society,” Consul Garcia said.

Pototsky had also created a bust of former President Elpidio Quirino as a gesture of gratitude for facilitating aid to 6,000 Russian refugees in Tubabao Island, Samar in 1951. (FREEMAN)