The official naming ceremony of the new theoretical and education block of the Pécs Medical School was held on September 20; the ceremony also included the unveiling of a sculpture in memory of dr. Endre Grastyán, internationally acclaimed scientist and neurophysiologist, apropos of the 100th anniversary of his birth. The professor was the head of the Pécs Medical School Institute of Physiology and the Neurophysiology Research Group of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. The faculty announced an anonymous competition last January for the creation of a sculpture worthy of the personality, scientific and educational activities of dr. Endre Grastyán. The competition was won by dr. Klára Orosz, educator at the Hungarian University of Fine Arts, Visual Arts Department. The work called “Theta” has been placed in the community park in front of the new theoretical and education block.
In his speech at the ceremony, dr. Attila Miseta, rector of the University of Pécs has reminisced about attending the memorable lectures of dr. Endre Grastyán suring his studies.
“Endre Grastyán was a sympathetic character for all of us, and above that, an excellent educator and scientist. By transferring his knowledge he contributed to graduates better serving medicine and patient care. It is very important to remember those who have made our university great by direct or indirect works of art” – he said.
Dr. Miklós Nyitrai, dean of the University of Pécs Medical School has expressed his gratitude for dr. Klára Orosz sculptor, whose work greatly contributed to make the environment of the faculty nicer and richer.
“If someone looks through the professional material summarising our dreams, PotePillars, then they will see that we have placed large emphasis on infrastructure and creating a second home for university citizens. From now on, this beautiful sculpture will be a part of this concept as well, helping us achieve our goals. We have also expressed our respect for Endre Grastyán by naming our new theoretical building after him as well” – he said, adding that aside from the 100th birth anniversary of the internationally acclaimed scientist, they are also celebrating the jubilees of international courses: the English language General Medicine and Dentistry courses are 40 and the German courses 20 years old, while the English Pharmacy and the English Biotechnology Msc are both 15 years old.
Dr László Lénárd, professor emeritus of the Pécs Medical School Institute of Physiology has called dr. Endre Grastyán his master, and spoke highly of his life, activity as an educator and scientist, and about his humble, attractive and suggestive personality. As he said, ambition of rank was very far from Endre Grastyán. Those who got close to him could feel equal, and he was able to ease the anxiety of others easily. He was like a close acquaintance or an older sibling. They learnt from him a lot as people, educators and scientists.
“An incredible work of art was born that will hopefully give more impulses and a sense of flow to those studying here and those who come to see it. I am very happy that we could provide a location for it. This sculpture is special because it unifies play and self-reflection while allowing the acquisition of new impulses. I hope that it can make life more productive and full of experiences for those who come here”
– said dr. Zoltán Szemerey, managing director of the Pécs Brewery Zrt, owner of Szalon Art Factory gallery.
József Készmann art historian, curator and head of department for the Budapest Ludwig Museum talked about the uniqueness of the Theta statue from various standpoints. He emphasized: it is rare that an important scientific mind gets such a modern memorial, and even in the world of contemporary art is not an everyday event that such a large-scale and high quality work meant for a public place is unveiled.
“This sculpture is a tool for making the work and research of Endre Grastyán liveable: to connect the past and the present, to immerse in play and enter the flow, for our brain to start generating theta waves. The space becomes an interactive place, which has been characteristic to previous works of dr. Klára Orosz as well. We don’t only see and wonder about the work from outside, but we can also lay down inside and become a part of it” – he said.
At the end of the unveiling ceremony, dr. Klára Orosz sculptor has thanked everyone who has contributed to making her plans a reality.
Photos:
Lajos KALMÁR
