Ernest Trova (American, 1927-2009)

Ernest Trova (American, 1927-2009). .

Falling Man/Study (Wrapped Manscape Figure), 1984 , 57.5 × 10.75 × 22.25 inches , Laumeier Sculpture Park Collection, Gift of Robert and Grace Brod

, St. Louis native Ernest Trova is best known for his Falling Man series, which he worked on from 1964 until his death in 2009. Forged in the belief that "man is first of all an imperfect (or) fallen creature," the Falling Man series encompassed everything from technical pride, man's addiction to speed and the representation of the body without organs., Falling Man/Study (Wrapped Manscape Figure), 1984 is wrapped from head to toe with a horizontal Falling Man. By dressing a large-scale Falling Man with the pattern of Falling Man itself, Trova is reinforcing self-identification and his view of man as "the center of all things." The historical references in this piece extend from the Egyptian and Greek standing figure all the way through Renaissance statuary to pop and comic book action figures. This funerary style figurative statue remains firmly upright, Falling Man/Study is a high-tech mummy configured like a toy robot, it's pose is that of the machine that no longer knows its a living being, or vice versa., Ernest Trova's gift of forty works to St. Louis County helped bring Laumeier Sculpture Park to life in 1976. Many of these works are displayed throughout the Park and region. The donation of this piece to our Collection by long-time supporters Robert and Grace Brod becomes part of our legacy Trova collection.