Torso

Most of Daniel Bucur's works are figurative sculptures, making this exception confirm the rule.

"Der Weg" is the title, and it refers to the journey of life. Like a serpent, it winds gently through the picture plane diagonally. The connection to the environment is established through a similarly elevated surface structure, with the upper section above the path oriented vertically and the lower section below it oriented horizontally. Tension is created through the dramatic color scheme. The surroundings are orange, while life itself, in its most primal form, is stained red. Knots and cracks are present, but they don't appear disruptive or foreign; they are seamlessly incorporated into the abstract whole by the artist's hand.

You can truly feel the energy with which life carves its path. It advances, with the beginning and end out of sight. It is not a straight path; it is intertwined with the surface and communicates with its surroundings.

Everything appears natural. We contemplate the artwork, feel invigorated, and continue our journey inspired.

Victory! Translated into a human pose, this often signifies an upward-stretched fist. The tension of the battle is still visible on the face. The head is held high, the muscles contort into a grimace, the teeth are bared, and the eyes widen. A muffled cry pierces the air. Breath is forced out of the body, the pose collapses, and comes to rest.

This human gesture is so familiar, of which we here only recognize the outlines of the torso, head, and the raised hand. Everything else, especially the emotion, is filled in by our minds.

The sculpture is carved from hard ash wood. The polished surface emphasizes the quality of the wood. The natural grain evokes thoughts of the taut fibers of human musculature. However, the reduced pose conveys another symbol for victory. The "V" for Victory. The letter follows the gesture almost coincidentally. The representation of the Roman goddess of victory, Victoria, also features the same upraised hand.

In this way, the circle is closed, uniting phallic masculine strength and feminine victory pose in a figure without gender.

Quiet and steadfast, the two guardians gaze near and far. Nothing escapes their watchful eye. One head is slightly inclined, the other raised straight upward. They perform a responsible duty. However, you can also sense the tension: they are determined, strong, and ready to fight when necessary.

The artist carved this pair of figures from two elongated pieces of oak wood. They are rugged characters, as emphasized by Daniel Bucur through the coarse surface carved with a chisel. The challenge for the artist was to depict the tension between calm and vigilance. He was aided by the natural growth of the wood, which had a bulge. With this deviation from straightness, Bucur conveys the pose of readiness. The artist drew inspiration from the monumental bronze work "The Reunion" by Ernst Barlach, which depicts the encounter of the Apostle Thomas with Jesus after his resurrection.

For the owner of the sculptures, the question also arises as to where to place them. They have a completely different impact in a small room compared to a wide space. With their energy, they dominate the space. The two guardians simply cannot forget their duty.