Vasilis Vasili: His first sculpture symposium for 2023
I called Greek sculptor Vasilis Vasili during a break from his sculpting in the famous Ambaji marble quarry in India, located in Gujarat state. It was January 2023.
Ambaji town is also well known for its temples. My questions were about the symposium and his first impressions regarding the event’s organization. It is the first symposium for marble sculpturing Vasilis Vasili participated in in 2023.
VV: The symposium is supported directly by the Ministry of Culture and the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi. Modi was born in this area of India, so he gives importance in its economic development.
AP: Is this area famous for its marble production or the production of other types of stones?
VV: Yes. The entire region has two great pillars for it’s development, the marble quarry which is opposite of me right now and a famous temple. I don’t know if it’s famous in entire India but it attracts many devotees.
AP: How many sculptors participate in this symposium?
VV: We are twelve sculptors.
AP: I see they are from all over the world.
VV: Yes. A sculptress from the USA, two sculptors from South Korea, a German, an Italian sculptress, a Romanian, two Japanese, a Bulgarian, a Spanish, and a French.
Vasilis Vasili, Photo of the marble sculpture under construction
Main photo: Vasilis Vasili talking to Indian student’s
AP: In spite the fact that you live in Canada for many years you participate representing Greece . Even in previous symposiums, those in 2022 you always represented Greece.
VV: I still don’t have the Canadian citizenship. Even if I owned a Canadian passport, I would gladly represent Greece wherever I go because I will always be Greek in my heart.
AP: Vasili, is this trip to India different from your previous trip artistically and regarding the organization of the symposium?
VV: There are always differences. The main difference is SAPTI’s 1st International Sculpture Symposium, as I mentioned previously, is under the auspices of the Indian government.
AP: The previous symposium you participated in, in India hasn’t been under the auspices of the Indian government?
VV: No, it was a private initiative. There is no difference between the founding from a private person. Back then, it was a wealthy Indian with an enormous art collection who owned a vast area with dozens of sculptures. In SAPTI’s symposium, we have full economic and personnel support. Each artist has at least two to three assistants and plenty of tools. Whatever a sculptor needs, he gets.
AP: Will the sculptures remain in the area?
VV: According to the organizers, they will remain in the area for some time. There is a plan by the Indian government for the creation of a sculpture park where they will transport them. There is also a technical institute in the area educating marble sculptors. In 2023 it held four symposiums only with Indian artists. After the 1st International symposium, in which I participate, there will be another, consisting only of prominent Indian sculptors. Their aim is to create a long lasting tradition in marble sculpting.
VASILIS VASILI, Makrana marble, 125x125x245cm.
Uttarayan Art Foundation, 2020. Vadodara, India.
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