Few weeks ago I was invited to visit an Albanian sculptor. I was welcomed to his home, where he keeps a collection of his works. It was a very nice experience to meet this Albanian artist and talk with him. His name is Vladimir Metani. He has been working in a bronze factory for many years and from the '90s, he started his artistic creations. During the communism it was prohibited to express something not allowed by the regime and this was valid for the art too.
He works mainly the bronze, but can use other materials such as wood and ceramics. In summer when he goes to the beach, he can do huge sand sculptures! He showed me some pictures and he claims to be the only one in Albania to do them!
His main characteristic is to be inspired by the traditional tales and legends from all different parts of Albania. For example, there is the legend of the Shkodra castle, or how was born the “Blue eye” (see post http://fellowofeagles.blogspot.com/2007/03/my-little-trip-through-albania-2.html), or Kostandin and his promise to visit his mother even after death... as all the tales, they are mysterious and sometimes macabre like the habit to bury the corpses of the family members under the floor of the house or to sacrifice a virgin for the construction of a strong castle.
It was very interesting to hear so many stories, completely unknown for a non-Albanian like me. I have to thank my friend Lumturi (by the way, in Albanian it means “happiness”) who had the idea and the kindness to let me meet him. And I thank Vladimir, Ladi as nickname, and his family for their hospitality.
From these pictures you can have an idea, but you can visit this website (in German)
http://www.lifefund.co.at/vladimir_metani.htm where there are more pictures of his works.
