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Draft:Et Purus

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The Et Purus No 2 sculpture in Stockholm

Et Purus is a series of public sculptures created by the artist Sassona Norton to honor the lifelong anti-doping work of Arne Ljungqvist. Ljungqvist, a prominent Swedish physician and former Olympic athlete, is internationally recognized for his dedication to promoting fairness and integrity in sports. The sculptures, strategically placed in public spaces, serve as a symbolic representation of the purity and values central to Ljungqvist's mission.[1][2][3]

Concept and Symbolism

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A distinctive element of Et Purus is the depiction of Arne Ljungqvist’s hand with the index finger pointed upward, symbolizing the universal gesture of "Number One." This gesture, recognized across cultures and time, represents victory, excellence, and leadership. Inspired by this universal symbol, the artist envisioned a seven-foot bronze hand thrusting dynamically into the sky, embodying the essence of striving for greatness. To further enhance this symbolism, Norton inserted a polished gold circle at the tip of the raised index finger, where blood is typically drawn. This gold circle serves as a metaphor for the “gold standard” of purity, indicating that the winner's blood is clean and uncontaminated. It emphasizes the idea that any true "Number One" must also be "pure," in line with the monument’s name, Et Purus (Latin for "And Clean").[4]

Sculptures in the Series

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The series features multiple installations, each located in significant public spaces that reinforce the sculptures' message. So far these:

Et Purus No. 1: This sculpture was unveiled in December 2021, installed on the Lucciana jetty, near the Monaco Yacht Club in Monaco. Prince Albert II was present at the ceremony.[1][5]

Et Purus No. 2: This sculpture was unveiled in September 2024, installed in Djurgården, Stockholm, Sweden. HM King Carl XVI Gustaf and HM Queen Silvia was present at the ceremony.[6][7]

References

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  1. ^ "Et Purus". Pure For Sure Anti-doping. 2021-12-17. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  2. ^ "Et Purus – The sculpture". et-purus-sculpture. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  3. ^ "The CMA present at the inauguration of the "Et Purus" statue - Onad Monaco". 2021-12-16. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
  4. ^ "Et Purus No. 1 - Public Art Items - Sassona Norton Sculpture". www.sassonanorton-sculpture.com. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  5. ^ "Une œuvre en hommage au professeur Arne Ljungqvist dévoilée par le Souverain".
  6. ^ "Kungen vid skulpturinvigning". www.kungahuset.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 2024-10-21.
  7. ^ "Kungen drog i snöret när Arne Ljungqvist hyllades". Dagens Nyheter (in Swedish). 2024-09-11. ISSN 1101-2447. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
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Sassona Norton Official Website

Et Purus Official Website

Pure For Sure