CONSTANTIN BRÂNCUSI in TÂRGU JIU Sculptural Ensemble (Romania)

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Sculptural ensemble in Targu Jiu, known as the Heroes’ Way, was conducted by Constantin Brancusi (1876-1957), the father of modern art, and was inaugurated in 1938. The ensemble is dedicated to the heroes of the First World War. The Heroes’ Way includes four components located on an east-west axis of 1275m, of which the first three are located in the Public Garden (The Table of Silence, The Stools Alley and The Gate of the Kiss) and The Infinity Column (or The Endless Column) is in the Park of Column. Table of Silence is the peace and the meal before the next fight. Time is the hourglass-stools that measure in silence. In another interpretation, this is the Table of Apostles of the Nation, composed of 12 stools (representing the apostles) in the middle being Jesus Christ. The Stools Alley with 30 stone seats and two stone benches arranged on either side of the alley, linking Table of Silence and Kiss Gate. The Kiss Gate is the gate through which the soul of the deads make the transition to another life. The pattern of the kiss, seen on the pillars of monument, could be interpreted as eyes that look inwards. In another variation of interpretation, this is the Nation Reunification Monument. Each of the two pillars of the gate consists of four parts, representing the eight Romanian provinces that are joined (the beam above) and Kiss means Unity. The Endless Column, or column of "infinite sacrifice" represent the sacrifice of the Romanian army for the reunification of the country and nation. The Column stylize the funeral pillars of Dacian and Romanian traditions radition (in Transylvania and in the southern part of the country). The Dacian funeral pillars are ended with a bird that symbolized the dead soul that ascends to heaven. Constantin Brancusi achieved them separately: pillar = Column, bird = ”Măiastra” (The Magic Bird, sculpture). The Infinity Column, a 40-year obsession of the artist, is considered his spiritual testament. The Endless Column has a height of 29.33 m and is made of brassed cast iron. The column consists of 17 rhomboid segments. In the early years of communism, Brancusi was contested as a representative of bourgeois cosmopolitan formalism. Since 1964, the Brancusi was rehabilitated and is considered national genius. The works were restored in 2000-2003.