Helidon Xhixha

Born into a family of artists, Xhixha inherited his interest for the Fine Arts and passion for sculpting from his father,Matteo Maria Rondanelli, "Helidon Xhixha: leggero come l'acciaio", Skira, 2009, {{ISBN|8857204308}}. whom among other things, was a state portraitist for the Albanian government. Following secondary school he first attended and graduated from the Academy of Arts in Tirana, where he was a part of a rising period for Albanian art.{{cite web |url=https://viennacontemporarymag.com/2013/10/23/no-tirana-no-cry/ |title=No Tirana No Cry |publisher=Vienna Contemporary Magazine |date=23 October 2013 |author=Fani Zguro|work=#viennacontemporary Magazine }} He then moved to Italy, where he attended the Brera Art Academy of Milan in 1991.{{cite web |url=http://www.designmena.com/people/steel-rebel |publisher=Design Mena |title=Steel Rebel |author=Rima Alsammarea}} In 1998 Xhixha was awarded a scholarship to Kingston University, London, where he developed techniques in engraving, sculpting and photography. Graduating from the Brera Academy in February 1999 his creations included works in Murano glass and sculptures in stainless steel using innovative and specialised techniques. He is known for his use of polished stainless steel in his sculptures.{{cite web |url=http://www.theprotagonistmagazine.com/art-1/helidon-xhixha-in-pietrasanta |publisher=The Protagonist Magazine |title=Helidon Xhixha in Pietrasanta |author=Daen Huse |access-date=21 December 2016 |archive-date=28 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190628155145/http://www.theprotagonistmagazine.com/art-1/helidon-xhixha-in-pietrasanta |url-status=dead }}

File:Xhixha.jpg

In 2003, Xhixha sculpted the work Monument to the Prancing Horse, a work inspired by the logo of the sports car producer Ferrari.{{cite web |url=http://magazine.ferrari.com/en/people/2016/08/03/news/helidon_xhixha_the_ferrarista_artist-14344/ |publisher=Ferrari Magazine |title=Sculptural dynamism |date=8 March 2016}} It was initially displayed on the grounds of the Gallerio del Vento,{{cite web |url=http://magazine.ferrari.com/en/living/2016/07/11/news/ferrari_and_art-12888/ |publisher=Ferrari Magazine |title=When art meets the Prancing Horse |date=11 November 2016}} and is now located in the Rotonda Via Grizzaga of Maranello, Italy.{{cite web |url=http://www.maranello.it/en/what-to-do/monumento-cavallino-rampante/ |title=The "Prancing Horse" Monument |publisher=Maranello.it}} In June 2007, Xhixha presented a sculpture at the Cornice Venice International Art Fair to pay tribute to the victims of 9/11. The six-meter-tall monument entitled Renaissance of the Twin Towers has been exhibited in numerous cultural capitals including Florence and Berlin.{{Cite web|title = Helidon Xhixha - Renaissance of towers|url = http://www.exibart.com/profilo/eventiV2.asp?idelemento=56245|website = Exibart|accessdate = 2015-12-02}} Utilising the imagery of the American Flag, the work becomes a symbol of civilisation whilst invoking contemporary ideas like those explored by Jasper Johns and Donald Judd.{{cite web |url = http://www.albanianews.it/cultura/arte/865-l11-settembre-nellopera-di-helidon-xhixha|title = Leggero come l'acciaio (Light as Steel) - L'11 Settembre nell'opera di Helidon Xhixha|last = Badellino|first = Enrico|publisher = SKIRA Editore|date = 2009|access-date = 24 October 2015}}

In the early 2010s, Xhixha began producing sculpture works inspired by Dubai and the UAE. He initially visited Dubai in 2001, but delivered his first public monument to the city in 2012, entitled Elliptical Energy. He then exhibited at the festival "Design Days Dubai". In 2014 Xhixha collaborated with PMG,{{Cite web|title = PMG Announces Muse, their 5th Project in Sunny Isles.|url = http://www.metrocitizen.net/pmg-announces-muse-their-5th-project-in-sunny-isles/|website = MetroCitizen Magazine|accessdate = 2015-12-02|language = en-US|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151208154832/http://www.metrocitizen.net/pmg-announces-muse-their-5th-project-in-sunny-isles/|archive-date = 8 December 2015|url-status = dead}} located on Sunny Isles Beach, Florida. The building was designed by Uruguayan architect Carlos Ott,{{cite web |url=http://miami.curbed.com/2014/1/7/10157300/super-skinny-artsy-sunny-isles-beach-tower-announced |publisher=Miami Curbed |title=Super Skinny Sunny Isles Beach Tower Announced |date=7 January 2014 |author=Sean McCaughan}} and Xhixha was commissioned to make a sculpture for each of the 68 residential units, stating to The New York Times that he envisioned the project as "my very own private museum."{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/15/realestate/using-artists-to-sell-condos-in-miami-and-new-york.html?_r=1|title=Using Artists to Sell Condos in Miami and New York|last=Satow|first=Julie|date=13 June 2014|work=The New York Times|accessdate=11 December 2015}}

File:Untitled, steel, 200x1200x35cm 2014.jpg

In addition to this, Xhixha's five meter tall sculpture entitled Vela was unveiled in June 2014 at the New Yacht Club of Monaco. The monument, sculpted in 316 marine grade, mirror polished stainless steel, resembles a sail and stands tall next to the entrance of the club house at Quay level. The piece is inspired by the call of the sea, the contrast between life on land and at sea, between home and the unknown, and the passion for adventure.{{cite web |url=http://www.rivieratimes.com/index.php/monaco-article/items/helidon-xhixha.html |title=Monaco: The sculptor of light brightens Miami, London and Monaco - Helidon Xhixha |publisher=The Monaco Times |date=4 August 2014 |access-date=24 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118094855/http://www.rivieratimes.com/index.php/monaco-article/items/helidon-xhixha.html |archive-date=18 November 2015 |url-status=dead }} In London, Xhixha started a collaboration with the ContiniArtUK gallery,{{Cite web|title = Apre a Londra Contini Art Uk|url = http://corrieredelveneto.corriere.it/veneto/notizie/cultura_e_tempolibero/2014/29-maggio-2014/apre-londra-contini-art-uk-223303969629.shtml|website = Corriere del Veneto|date = 29 May 2014|accessdate = 2015-12-02|language = it-IT}} exhibiting his artworks in their space located in Mayfair.{{cite web |url=http://www.helidonxhixha.com/exhibitions/helidon-xhixha-in-london-with-contini-art-uk-23rd-may-2014.html |title=Helidon Xhixha in London with Contini Art Uk |date=23 May 2014 |access-date=24 October 2015}}

File:Iceberg by Helidon Xhixha.jpg

In 2015 Xhixha created the work Iceberg for the 56th Venice Biennale, a monumental mirrored polished stainless steel sculpture that was left floating in the Venice lagoon until it moored to San Servolo Island. It reflected the city of Venice and its endangered water environment, while at the same time, emphasising the growing threat of global warming and its effect on the sea level rise. Xhixha also installed another two monument sculptures on San Servolo Island, Pillars of Light and The Four Elements.{{cite web |url=https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-syria-s-venice-biennale-pavilion-confronts-global-warming |publisher=Artsy |title=Syria's Venice Biennale Pavilion Confronts Global Warming's Destruction |date=2 June 2015}}

Later in 2015 Helidon Xhixha installed Everlasting at the Milan Malpensa Airport, Milan, Italy. Twelve pillars, made of polished stainless steel, stood before twelve panels depicting Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper painting. Each stainless steel column represented one of the twelve apostles. In contrast, Xhixha also created a column made of Corten steel to depict Judas Iscariot, the traitor.{{Cite web|url=http://www.artslife.com/2015/10/16/helidon-xhixha-omaggia-leonardo-a-malpensa/|title=Helidon Xhixha omaggia Leonardo a Malpensa|date=16 October 2015}}

File:Bliss by Helidon Xhixza.jpg

In 2016, Xhizha's sculptures were the subject of a solo outdoor exhibition in Pietrasanta, Italy entitled Shining Rock, in collaboration with Contini Art UK and the Bozzetti Museum. The works fused white marble, bronze, and stainless steel,{{cite web |url=http://www.lagazzettadiviareggio.it/pietrasanta/2016/06/helidon-xhixha-apre-la-sua-mostra-con-un-vernissage-di-oltre-300-ospiti/ |title=Helidon Xhixha apre la sua mostra con un vernissage di oltre 300 ospiti |author=Franca Dini |language=Italian |publisher=Law Gazzetta di Viareggio |date=12 June 2016}} and according to Daen Huse, "Keeping in mind his signature of distortion ... Helidon’s inspiration for fusioning marble and steel ... originates from the mythological protagonists whose mysterious legends still inspire many artists. Coping with reality and fantasy, the earth and the beyond, the exhibition of Helidon Xhixha is an alchemy of philosophical and scientific transformations." In addition, his work Bliss appeared at the first annual London Design Biennale, as a part of the Albanian pavilion.{{cite web |url=http://www.interiordesign.net/slideshows/detail/9300-10-outstanding-pavilions-at-the-london-design-bien/ |publisher=Interior Design |title=10 Outstanding Pavilions at the London Design Biennale |date=20 September 2016 |author=Mairi Beautyman}} The piece combines polished stainless steel and benches, so that viewers can see themselves in the work.{{cite web |url=http://albanianinstitute.org/london-design-biennale-albania/ |publisher=Albanian Institute |title=London Design Biennale Albania |date=19 May 2016}} Xhixha's work won the festivals medal for public artwork.{{cite web |url=http://www.tiranatimes.com/?p=129201 |publisher=Tirana Times |title=Helidon Xhixha claims public medal at London Biennale |date=23 September 2016}} That year an additional public work entitled Endless Melody was placed in the Melody Tower Plaza Garden in downtown Miami, Florida with collaborating gallery, Rosenbaum Contemporary.{{cite web |url=https://artofthetimes.com/2016/06/29/sculpture-titled-endless-melody-inaugurated-collaboration-rosenbaum-contemporary-permanent-home-melody-tower-plaza-garden-corner-northeast-14/ |publisher=Art of the Times |date=29 June 2016 |title=The sculpture—titled Endless Melody —was inaugurated in collaboration with Rosenbaum Contemporary at its permanent home in the Melody Tower Plaza Garden on the corner of Northeast 14th Street and 2nd Avenue.}}

Between June and October 2017 Helidon Xhixha hosts a solo exhibition in the Boboli Garden's, Florence, Italy. In Ordine Sparso (In Random Order), where Xhixha explores the ideas of chaos and order through a series of thirteen monumental sculptures and installations.{{Cite web|url=http://www.artemagazine.it/attualita/item/3861-firenze-helidon-xhixha-al-giardino-di-boboli-in-ordine-sparso|title=Firenze. Helidon Xhixha al Giardino di Boboli "in ordine sparso"|access-date=19 June 2017|archive-date=11 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811060444/http://www.artemagazine.it/attualita/item/3861-firenze-helidon-xhixha-al-giardino-di-boboli-in-ordine-sparso|url-status=dead}}

In July 2023 he held a solo exhibition at the Palazzo Reale, Milan, entitled "La reggia allo specchio" (The Palace in the Mirror).{{Cite web |title=XHIXHA La reggia allo specchio |url=https://www.palazzorealemilano.it/mostre/la-reggia-allo-specchio |access-date=2023-08-26 |website=www.palazzorealemilano.it}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Helidon Xhixha}}

• [http://www.helidonxhixha.com Official Website]

• Francesco Poli (March, 2013). 'Helidon Xhixha: Energia dell'acciaio attraverso l'arte'
• Julie Satow (13 June 2014). '[https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/15/realestate/using-artists-to-sell-condos-in-miami-and-new-york.html?_r=0 Using Artists To Sell Condos in Miami and New York] The New York Times
• Eros Rampone (Summer/Fall 2015) '56th Biennale International Art Exhibition, Helidon Xhixha: Iceberg in Venice' ArtStyle Magazine, p1, p20-23, p53
• Francesco Poli (June 2015). 'Helidon Xhixha: The Moulding Power of Light'

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Category:1970 births

Category:Living people

Category:Albanian artists

Category:People from Durrës

Category:21st-century Albanian sculptors

Category:Alumni of Kingston University

Category:Brera Academy alumni