The Power of Art | Lorenzo Quinn | TEDxAthens

Art has the power to inspire, to move you emotionally.
To create social and cultural change.
When art focuses on love it encourages people to connect on a deeper level and to see humanity in everyone regardless of their differences.
Art can truly democratize society especially public art because it reaches people that are from all social backgrounds that are not necessarily art lovers or that don't visit museums or art galleries, in fact, they may even not be attracted at all towards art, but public art transcends all that because it transcends cultural differences and language barriers. Lorenzo Quinn is an artist known for his contemporary sculptures that fuse traditional techniques with modern materials. Born in Rome in 1966, Quinn grew up in an artistic family. His father, Anthony Quinn, was a Oscar winning actor and an artist, and his mother, Yolanda Addolori, was an Italian costume designer. Quinn’s exposure to art from a young age instilled in him a passion for creating, which he pursued throughout his life.
Quinn’s early artistic career was marked by experimentation and exploration. He studied at the American Academy of Fine Arts in New York and later trained as a sculptor at the School of the Arts in Rome. He spent time traveling and working in various countries which broadened his artistic horizons and allowed him to explore different mediums and techniques.
Throughout his career, Quinn has maintained a strong philosophy of art. He believes that art should inspire and move people emotionally, and that it has the power to change the world. Quinn’s sculptures often have a strong social and political message, addressing issues such as climate change, human rights, and global conflict.
One of Quinn’s most famous works, created in 2017, is “Support,” a sculpture depicting a pair of white hands emerging from Venice’s Grand Canal and holding up a building. The piece raises awareness towards climate change and humanity’s impact on the environment, and the need for us to take responsibility for the world we live in.
Quinn’s sculptures are often characterized by their dynamic and fluid forms. He uses traditional techniques such as lost-wax casting and patination to create pieces that are both beautiful and technically impressive. Quinn also frequently incorporates modern materials such as steel and resin into his works, which give them a contemporary edge.
In addition to his sculptures, Quinn is also known for his large public installations, such as Baby 3.0 during the Venice Biennale of 2022 and prior to that Building Bridges, a sculpture symbolizing the need for more cooperation between countries to insure a more harmonious future for humanity. He has created large-scale works for cities around the world, including New York, Hong Kong, and the Middle East. These installations often incorporate his signature hand motif, which symbolizes the power of human connection and the importance of working together to solve global problems.
For Quinn, art is more than just a means of self-expression or entertainment. He sees it as a tool for creating social change and promoting unity and compassion. Through his sculptures and installations, Quinn encourages us to reflect on our relationship with the environment, each other, and the world as a whole.
In conclusion, Lorenzo Quinn is a highly respected contemporary artist who has made a significant impact on the art world. His sculptures and installations are not only technically impressive, but also deeply meaningful, addressing important social and political issues. Quinn’s philosophy of art is rooted in the belief that art has the power to inspire and move people emotionally, and that it can be used to create positive change in the world. His work serves as a reminder that art is not just a luxury, but a vital component of our cultural and social fabric. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx