WORDS OF WISDOM IN MONACO
scape . I would like people to be able to give their address saying ‘ I live in the horse or in the elephant ...’ I am thus moving towards a themed architecture . I already made plans for a tower representing five pillars of Islam topped with the largest prayer hall in the world . It could come to life in the Emirates . I would also like to make a huge sculpture mixing different religious symbols , a certain hymn to peace .
: Are you religious ?
MM : I am a believer , but I do not practice any religion . When I first exhibited in New York in the 2000s , I hadn ’ t sold anything at all by the end of the day . So I made a vow : if I sold one sculpture , I would take no more alcohol . For a native Croatian this is quite an effort … An amateur connoisseur showed up and bought my whole stand . So from then on I will only drink to a toast , but nothing more than that !
Princess Caroline discovering Matéo Mornar ’ s hippopotamus
: Do you exhibit in galleries ?
MM : Never ! I find their prices excessive . I prefer to look after myself . I am an expensive artist and I admit to it . With my sculptures everything is done by hand from A to Z . Sometimes I work on a sculp-
I would like people to be able to give their address saying ‘ I live in the horse or in the elephant ...’ ture for six months , and then one night I decide I don ’ t like it anymore . Then I just take an axe and break it all up . I aim for a thoroughly completed job ; no cheating . I understand my art may not please everyone , but I work hard , without compromise .
‘ The Falcon of Peace ’ intended to house a museum . A monumental project 80 metres high
© Matéo Mornar
© Palais Monaco
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