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Doors of Jerusalem I, II, & III (work of art)

Artwork Info

Created
2006
Artist
Jaume Plensa
Nationality
Spanish
Birth/Death
1955-
Dimensions
(each) 47 1/4 x 62 3/16 x 80 11/16 in.
(120 x 158 x 205 cm)
Medium
Sculpture

Credit

Gift of James Goodmon and Capitol Broadcasting Company

Culture
European

About

The embossed text that covers the three figures of Jaume Plensa’s Doors of Jerusalem like tattoos are excerpts from the Song of Solomon (or Song of Songs) from the Bible, a collection of poems that have been interpreted on many levels, both spiritually and romantically. The eyes and mouths of the figures are covered by the names of the eight gates to the walled city of Jerusalem: New, Herod, Damascus, Golden (two doors: Gate of Repentance and Gate of Mercy), Lions, Jaffa, Zion, and Dung.

“In the Song of Songs,” says Plensa, “a woman tirelessly crosses this wall looking for her love. She dreams and imagines love is like a door in the wall. Perhaps this wall is another metaphor of the body and the doors another metaphor of the soul. Dream and desire are fused in the prison of the heart.”

tags: meaning, perspective, subjectivity, light

Images

  • Jaume Plensa Doors of Jerusalem I, II, & III 2006 Sculpture

    Doors of Jerusalem I, II, & III