Page 51 - STARGAZE - Contemplating The Majestic, Matt Marga

One Million

Queen

Park Lane

Ventique gallery is delight- THE SCULPTURE
ed to announce that the One Million Her Majesty the Queen’s pro-
Queen sculpture by Matt Marga has file is created by the composition
been installed on Achilles Way, Park of one million crystals embedded in a
Lane. Matt Marga is an Italian artist monolithic optically clear sheet of
based in London working from his glass measuring 2.95 m x 5.5 m height.
studio in Chelsea. When looking for a The handmade diamond-cut crys-
universal symbol representing the tals, which are approximately
city he chose one of the most rec- 2.5 mm in diameter are partial-
ognisable profiles, the one of Her ly coated with gold foil to increase
Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. With the diffraction of light. Among
his piece he wants to celebrate the the million crystals, 53 real dia-
life and legacy of one of the most monds - carefully placed at the
influential figures in modern history center of the crown’s cross - rep-
and Head of the Commonwealth as resent the 53 member states of
a union of nations. The 1M Queen the Commonwealth of Nations.
marks the first time that Marga exhibits The glass weighs 2500 kg and
publicly one of his sculpture in London. is held by a steel frame in the
The temporary sculpture has been ground of 2500 kg. The engi-
commissioned by Ventique art neering difficulties of installing
gallery together with Westminster such an imposing object required
City of Sculptures. This celebra- months of planning and calcu-
tory artwork wants to be a hom- lations to make sure the final
age to the World’s longest reigning effect would have the visual
Monarch and a symbol of the impact the artist intended to
United Kingdom. achieve at the best level of stability.

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