Silvio Gazzaniga
Silvio Gazzaniga | |
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UEFA Cup, UEFA Super Cup, International Baseball Federation. | |
Awards | Ambrogino D'Oro |
Website | http://www.silviogazzaniga.com/ |
Silvio Gazzaniga (Italian pronunciation:
Biography
Silvio Gazzaniga was born in
But 1970 was the year that changed his professional life and the profile of this private man. After
Riding on the wave of this great international success, the artist continued to create other important football trophies, such as the
The Presidency of the Council of Ministers, under the patronage of
On 7 December 2003, the then Mayor of Milan, Gabriele Albertini, on behalf of Milan City Council, bestowed the highest possible honor upon Gazzaniga, the "Certificate of Merit of the Ambrogino d’Oro". This loyal citizen of Milan was given this honour to commemorate "his professional reputation as one of the most prolific contemporary artists of the city".
Honours have also come from the international circle. On 14 October 2011, while attending a meeting for the annual edition of the International Numismatic Fair in Vicenza, the International Association of Numismatists and Medal Designers bestowed upon him the International Award for his contribution to his Profession with the following dedication: "In his long career, this great artist has distinguished himself as the creator of beautifully drawn designs of coins and medals and, in particular, has known how to portray different subjects with courage and consummate skill".
The sculptor was married to his wife, Elsa, for more than 60 years. She is the great love of his life, together with that of art, and mother to his two children, Gabriella and Giorgio. In addition to sport, he is passionate about design, sports cars and aircraft. His source of inspiration comes from walking in the mountains and photographing nature which also enables him to re-charge the batteries of his artistic soul.
FIFA World Cup Trophy
Gazzaniga created the world's most sought after football trophy.[1] The FIFA World Cup Trophy was designed and created in 1971 and since that time he has seen it pass through the hands of many famous football personalities and legends. Franz Beckenbauer was the first to proudly present it to the world in 1974; an honour that was followed by Daniel Passarella in 1978, Dino Zoff in 1982, Diego Maradona in 1986, Lothar Matthäus in 1990, Dunga in 1994, Didier Deschamps in 1998, Cafu in 2002, Fabio Cannavaro in 2006, Iker Casillas in 2010, Philipp Lahm in 2014, Hugo Lloris in 2018, and Lionel Messi in 2022.[2]
History
After Brazil retained the right to keep the Rimet Cup as a result of winning it for the third time at the World Cup Final in Mexico in 1970,
Closeted away in his studio situated in the artists quarter of Milan, near the Brera Academy and Sforzesco Castle, Gazzaniga began work immediately. Given the difficulties involved in preparing simple sketches to show the fluidity of the design, he also created a plasticine model and a plaster cast. The uncertainty involved in creating a design without first having reached a formal agreement also stood him in good stead. 53 designs were submitted from 25 nations worldwide, but after experiencing the sight, feel, symbolic beauty and photogenic quality of Silvio Gazzaniga's design, FIFA gave their seal of approval. The Cup was immediately cast in gold and officially adopted by FIFA in January 1972.[1]
Numbers
"Cera Persa" (
This Cup, contrary to the Rimet Cup, will never be presented to the team that wins the World Cup three times, but will continue to be awarded as a prize until 2038, when all the available inscription spaces of the winning nations will be filled. Beginning with Germany in 1974, the trophy has been awarded three times to Germany (1974, 1990 and 2014) and Argentina (1978, 1986 and 2022); twice to Italy (1982 and 2006), Brazil (1994 and 2002) and France (1998 and 2018); and once to Spain (2010).
Beginning with the World Cup Final in Germany in 2006, FIFA stipulated that the original trophy would not be given to the winning national team. In the past the Cup was kept by the winning team at their national football association headquarters for four years. It was returned to FIFA only after lots were drawn to decide on the opposing teams. Today the Cup is awarded to the captain of the winning team at the ceremony following the final game. After the festivities, the winning team receives a copy of the original Cup.
On his realized design for the FIFA World Cup
- "To create a universal symbol relating to sport and the harmony of world sport, I was inspired by two fundamental images: those of a triumphant athlete and of the world. I wanted to create a dynamic representation of an accomplishment that could express harmony, simplicity and peace simultaneously. The work should have clear bold lines and reflect the elation of the winning footballer – a man transformed by the enormity of his victory – but without the ego of the super human. This sporting hero who embraces the world in his arms, reflects the strength needed to make sacrifices day after day with his fellow team members and the universal characteristics of sport such as commitment and freedom."[1]
- "The player feels the emotion, the excitement, the speed of action and the effort needed to be at the top of his game. He is the victorious, absolute hero and enthusiastically holds up the world of happiness. Whoever wins such a difficult competition takes on the dimensions of a giant with his prize at the moment of victory. The Cup must express all of these emotions."[1]
- "With two players raising their arms, I wanted to celebrate the moment of joy and the excitement of victory. The sphere at the top is shaped with a relief reflecting the images of continents. This also symbolises football and the world and the lines showing between the two mirrored players expresses the energy of sport. The coarse surface between the two facing figures on the trophy expresses the intensity, vigour, energy and the competitive spirit of football."[1]
- "Emerging from the base each detail comes together and rises and widens out to reach towards the world. A surge of energy springing from the compact base to encompass the figures of the two athletes at their moment of absolute victory."[1]
- "If I ever have to re-create it, I would not make any changes to the original. The fact that the trophy still endures today in this changing world of fashions is a testament to the fact that I was inspired by beautiful symbols and universal principles that became part of my creation."[1]
Honours and awards
- Italy: Commander (Commendatore Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana) Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (2012)
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "The FIFA World Cup Trophy". FIFA. Archived from the original on 1 June 2015. Retrieved 19 February 2016.
- ^ "Classic Football History of the FIFA World Cup". FIFA. Archived from the original on 29 March 2013. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
- ^ a b Periodic Videos. "Chemistry of the World Cup Trophy". Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2010.
- ^ "Professor says World Cup trophy cannot be solid gold". BBC News. 12 June 2010. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
External links
- Fifa.com article on Silvio Gazzaniga and the FIFA World Cup trophy
- Official website
- Website of the Italian President
- A tribute to Silvio- life career