Sculptures: Kigali's untapped architectural beauty

Big or small, sculptures are one of the elements that make up public art illuminating intense scenic beauty or highlighting a social theme. Their shapes often reflect the creativity and craftsmanship of the artist which is mostly intended to captivate people’s attention or raise various emotions. Just like most forms of art, Sculptures are made simply as an expression of creativity or made with an intention to depict the reality of a particular event. Sculptures in most cases are carved, casted, welded in an assemblage that forms a particular solid shape. Rwanda has 3 big sculptures which if fully tapped into have the potential to attract tourists hence boosting the tourism sector and the economy. People interested in the diverse aspects of the Rwandan people and culture can rediscover the rich history that is presented by historical sculptures. Building the Nation Statute at Rwanda Revenue Authority premises displays economic vitality and the spirit of ones in rebuilding the nation. (Francis Byaruhanga) Some of the popular sculptures in Rwanda pay homage to the heroism of Rwandan army in liberating the country in the 1990-1994 struggle. They present a significant message of hope for Rwanda and also speak of Rwanda’s tragic past and recovery. The sculpting business in the country is still growing with only 25,000 sculpturists who craft small cultural art. Some of the most impressive sculptural forms designed include the Statue of liberty in America, Mother-Land Calls in Russia and the Pyramids in Egypt. Such sculptures have a variety of importance primarily that they communicate the political hegemony of a certain nation (political symbol). They symbolize the unique culture of a nation through the reigning art, and many more others. Vital significances of sculptures to the nation Dr. Jack Nzabonimpa the Director of Culture at Rwanda Academy of Languages and Culture (RALC) says that sculptures beautify places and often interoperate certain values like heroism, valor and passion of a given society from one generation to the other. He added that Russia has taken a major step in constructing big architectural designs like the one at Rostov (Russia) where there is a statute of a woman holding a gun highlighting the significant role played by women in World War two. On other hand this statute has also managed to boost Russia’s tourism industry. “Even in hundred years to come the statute will be seen by the generation to come as they will emotionally fantasize the heroism that is displayed through sculpture art of that woman in Russia,” he said. Domestically, the most visited sculpture is the holy Mother Mary at Kibeho in the Northern Province. The tourist attraction was named “Yezu Nyirimpuhwe” which means ‘Jesus the Merciful’. The remarkable sculpture is said to have witnessed the appearance of the Virgin Mary to several people in Kibeho in November 28, 1981 and March 20, 1982. The huge statue of a Rwandan woman holding the hand of a small child surrounded by well attended gardens plus a magnificent fountain at Kacyiru. (Teddy Kamanzi) Nzabonimpa also pointed out that Rwandan architectural sculptures are of poor artistic qualities because most of them are built in simple ways and that’s a challenge to local artists and the tourism industry at large. He also highlighted that cities like Saint Petersburg which is sometimes named as the ‘Russian Versailles’ is protected by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) because it holds the country’s cultural centre, and Museums showcasing Russian art, from Orthodox icon paintings to abstract works. “These cities can attract 5 million tourists per year and this brings a lot of money from tourism due to the sculptures”, he said. Dr. Jean-Damascene Iyamuremye, the Director of Psychiatric Care at RBC (Rwanda Biomedical Centre) said that sculptures are considered as a kind of recognition, role models and they create the picturesque of the negative legacy philosophical mind sets of the people. They also represent where the society implements positive re-enforcements and the exemplariness of the good as they shun away with evil (negative legacy). He further explained that even though Hitler made history in Germany, his terrible legacy is the reason no monuments were created after him and his party. “You find monuments and sculpture have been have been built and curved after and for many heroes that had great impact on people like Nelson Mandela, George Washington, Joseph Kasabavu, and Jomo Kenyatta, and many others who impacted the world positively” he concluded. While the sculpting business is still on quite a small scale, it is a sleeping mine of potential investment that can boost the arts and crafts industry in the country. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Sculptures: Kigali's untapped architectural beauty