Sculpture
Definition
Sculpture (Latin sculpere, “to
carve”), three dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard,
plastic material, wire, sound, text, light, commonly stone (either rock or
marble), metal, glass, or wood. Some sculpture are created directly by finding
or carving; others are assembled, built together and fired, welded, molded, or
cast. Sculptures are often painted. Because sculpture involves the use of
material that can be molded or modulated, it is considered one of the plastic
arts.
History
a. Asian
Sculpture
1.
Indian Sculpture – first known sculptures are from
Indus Valley Civilization (3300-1700 BC), found at Mohenjo-Daro and Pakistan.
2.
Chinese Sculpture – first Buddhist sculpture dated
from Three Kingdoms Period (3rd Century).
3.
Japanese Sculpture – associated to religion and the
medium use declined with the lessening importance of traditional Buddhism.
b. African
Sculpture – the type of material and purpose for creating sculpture in African
reflect the region from which the pieces are created.
1.
West African Sculpture – typically have elongated
bodies, angular shapes, and facial features that represent an idea.
2.
Central African Sculpture – heart shaped faces that
are curved inward and display patterns of circles and dots.
3.
Eastern African Sculpture – only one type of
sculpture is known, “Pole Sculpture,” which are poles curved in human shapes,
decorated with geometric forms.
4.
Southern African Sculpture – oldest known clay
figures date from 400 to 600 A.D. and have cylindrical heads.
c. Egyptian
Sculpture – The Egyptian Statues was made to provide a physical place where a
god or spirit could appear. In temples the god took up residence in the cult
statue, and divine royal spirits could reside in statues of the king.
d. Greek and
Roman Sculpture – principal subject of the Greek and Roman sculptures are gods,
heroes of legend, and athletes, youth, or maiden intended to demonstrate
beauty.
e. Islamic
Sculpture - famously aniconic, so the vast majority of sculpture is arabesque
decoration in relief or openwork, based on vegetable motifs, but tending to
geometrical abstract forms.
f. Early
Christian and Byzantine – mainly the base of the Christian and Byzantine sculptures
are Christianity, Angel, etc…
g. Renaissance
– one of the first major works of this era is the statue of David which is a
free-standing nude statue.
h. Mannerist
– more abstract representatives were praised giving more thought to color and
composition rather than the realistic portrayal of the subjects in the piece.
i.
Baroque – group of figure assumed new importance and
there was a dynamic and energy of human forms.Baroque Artist fused sculpture
and architecture seeking to create a transformative experience for the viewer.
j.
Modern Classicism – showed a lesser interest in
naturalism and a greater interest in formal stylization. Greater attention was
paid to the rhythms of volumes and space – as well as greater attention to the
contrasting qualities of surface while less attention was paid to story-telling
and convincing details of anatomy or costume.
k. Modernism
– modern trends in sculpture, both abstract and figurative have dominated
public imagination and the popularity of the modernist sculpture has all but
eliminate the traditional approach.
Materials of Sculpture through History
a. Bronze and
Stone – example: marble and limestone.
b. Precious
Metals – example: gold and jade
c. Glass,
hardwoods, terracotta and other ceramics, and cast metals such as zinc.
d. Stained
glass, automobile parts, tools, machine parts and hardware.
e. Acrylics
and other plastics
f. Ice and
sand
Types of Sculpture
a. Free-Standing
Sculpture – sculpture that is surrounded on all sides, except the base, by
space. It is also known as sculpture “in the round”, and is meant to be viewed
from any angle.
b. Sound
Sculpture – (related to sound art and sound installation) an intermediate and
time based art form in which sculpture or any kind of art object produces
sound.
c. Light
Sculpture – an intermediate and time based art form in which sculpture or any
kind of art produces light.
d. Jewelry –
it may be made from gemstones or precious metals, but may be from any other
material, and may be appreciated because of geometric or other patterns, or
meaningful symbol.
e. Relief –
the sculpture is still attached to a background.
f. Site-specific
Art- artwork created to exist in a certain place.
g. Kinetic
Sculpture – involves the aspect of physical motions. Typically, it has moving
parts which are generally powered by wind or a motor.
h. Statue –
representation sculpture depicting a specific entity, usually a person, even,
animal or object. Stacked Art – a form of sculpture formed by assembling
objects and stacking them.
i.
Architectural Structure – term use for the use of
sculpture by an architect and/or sculptor in the design of
