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Sztafeta

Sztafeta is a figurative architectural sculpture by Adam Roman, depicting three nude runners, including two shown at the moment of passing a relay baton. It is located near Washington Roundabout in Warsaw, by the entrance to the National Stadium (gate no. 3) from Księcia Józefa Poniatowskiego Avenue. Made from a less durable material, the work deteriorated quickly and was restored in November 2008 by Jacek Nowicki at a cost of 50,000 zł. In 2010, a project was proposed to replace the original with a bronze cast, and in 2011 exhibitions in Warsaw highlighted the sculpture’s history. In 2013, a granite memorial plaque dedicated to Adam Roman was placed on its pedestal.

Sztafeta sculpture showing three male figures in dynamic running poses on a stone pedestal.
Sztafeta, a sculpture of three male figures in motion, stands on a pedestal near a modern building in Warsaw.
February 2012 © Jeroen Fossaert · CC BY-SA 2.0
Sztafeta sculpture showing three nude male figures passing a baton on a stone base.
Sztafeta, a modernist sculpture by Adam Roman, at the entrance to Warsaw’s National Stadium.
May 2016 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Sztafeta sculpture showing two stone runners in a relay handoff near a stadium.
Sztafeta, a sculpture of two athletic figures in motion, stands near Warsaw’s National Stadium.
October 2011 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Sztafeta sculpture showing two nude male figures against a blue sky, with metal supports around the figures.
Sztafeta sculpture in Warsaw, showing two nude male figures in a dynamic pose.
October 2011 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Plaque for Sztafeta with the year 1955, Adam Roman’s name, and Polish biographical text.
Commemorative plaque for Sztafeta by Adam Roman, mounted on a stone wall.
July 2014 © · CC BY-SA 4.0

Identification

TitleSztafeta
Typefigurative architectural sculpture

Creator

ArtistAdam Roman

Iconography and meaning

Depicted figuresthree nude runners
Action depictedtwo of the runners are passing a baton

Historical context

Original intended locationthe stairs in Marshal Edward Rydz-Śmigły Park in Powiśle
Proposed relocated siteStadion Narodowy
Location change influenced byProf. Jerzy Hryniewiecki, designer of the Stadium of the Decade
Original designinitially planned with two runners; a third figure was later added
Additional artistic influencedrawings on Greek vases
InspirationFrançois Rude’s relief La Marseillaise on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris

Materials

Materialconcrete model on a steel frame

Physical characteristics

Heightapproximately 2 m
Pedestal2.5 m stone-clad pedestal

Location and ownership

Current locationnear George Washington Roundabout in Warsaw, Poland, at the entrance to Stadion Narodowy (Gate 3) from Józef Poniatowski Avenue

History and restoration

Project coordinatorProf. Andrzej Koss
Original sculpture's proposed destinationKrólikarnia
Supporters of bronze cast projectthe National Museum in Warsaw and the Inter-University Institute of Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art at Warsaw's Academy of Fine Arts
Proposer of bronze cast projectAleksandra Wałdowska
Replacement proposalin 2010, a plan emerged to replace the original sculpture with a bronze cast
Restoration cost50,000 PLN
RestorerJacek Nowicki
Restoration dateNovember 2008
Restoration request sourcesthe Kamionek Neighborhood Council and Warsaw's conservator-restorer
Restoration reasonthe sculpture deteriorated quickly because it was made of non-durable concrete
Replacement plan statusthe bronze replacement plan was abandoned
Planned replacement materialbronze cast after the 5th World Festival of Youth and Students
Context of creationmade in haste for the stadium's inauguration
Unveiling date22 July 1955
Restoration authorizationapproved by the National Sports Centre during construction of Stadion Narodowy, following a July 2007 resolution by the Warsaw City Council

Significance

Second exhibition edition locationFaculty of Architecture, Warsaw University of Technology
Commemorated personAdam Roman
Commemorative plaque locationon the sculpture's pedestal
Commemorative plaque designerRyszard Stryjecki
Commemorative plaque materialgranite
Commemorative plaque initiativeinitiated by the Warsaw District of the Association of Polish Artists and Designers
Commemorative plaque date23 August 2013
Exhibition purposeto attract sponsors for the bronze cast project
Second exhibition edition dates17–27 May 2011
Exhibition cost estimate400,000–800,000 PLN
Exhibition attendanceAdam Roman attended the vernissage
Exhibition subjectthe creation and history of Sztafeta
Exhibition locationOlympic Centre in Warsaw
Exhibition dates7–31 March 2011
Exhibition titleAdam Roman – czas sztafety
Reason for commemorationAdam Roman had died about six months earlier