User:Jakefitz/sandbox

Statue of Gilgamesh

Context The statue of Gilgamesh was placed at Sydney Uni as a result of a donation from the Assyrian Community. It was sculpted by Lewis Batros, and placed where it currently stands on October 15th, 2000 to commemorate the University of Sydney’s sesquicentenary.

Purpose The purpose of the statue is somewhat ambiguous. We know that it was donated in honor of USYDs sesquicentenary, but the actual purpose of its location and its significance is difficult to ascertain. Its feasible to suggest that the virtues for which Gilgamesh stood are the sort of qualities that USYD hopes to hold and pass on, although this is a best guess rather than an actual fact. As mentioned in the plaque, these qualities are “compassion, friendship, courage, love and peace”.

Author Lewis Batros was the sculptor of the Gilgamesh statue. While subjective, we can assume that his statue is intended to invoke and convey power and control. It is based on the fictional ‘Epic of Gilgamesh’, and appears to mirror his personality and description within the aforementioned work. It certainly conveys a sense of the ‘epic’, a word closely linked with the story of Gilgamesh. According to The Babylonian Gilgamesh Epic: Introduction, Critical Edition and Cuneiform Texts, Volume 1 that word is “a coinage of convenience with no parallel in the Akkadian language... it is a long narrative poem describing heroic events”, so it seems peculiar that the Assyrian community would support its use.

Audience The audience for Lewis Batros’ sculpture is obviously students at USYD as well as the teaching faculty. If I’m correct on my guess as to the purpose and message of the statue, it follows that such virtues would be encouraged and supported by USYD. The secondary audience for the statue would be the wider Assyrian community, as they were the benefactors and funded its creation and placement. Batros himself is Assyrian, and clearly the Epic of Gilgamesh holds an important place in the psyche of the Assyrian people. I believe that either way, the statue of Gilgamesh is appealing to the better nature of all those who view it, and the sculptor is amplifying the positive qualities of heroism.

The Text The medium of Gilgamesh is statue, and it is composed of a rusting metal alloy. While I have made guesses at the main idea being conveyed, I was unable to find any official material to confirm or deny my assumptions. Being somewhat familiar with the Epic already, I have made what I consider to be educated guesses at its purpose, and I will continue to enjoy its placement at USYD.