ABSTRACT SCULPTURE

ABSTRACT SCULPTURE

• uses NATURE not as a subject but AS A SOURCE OF FORMAL IDEAS

• nature used as a STARTING POINT FOR A CREATIVE PLAY

• the END PRODUCT BEAR LITTLE TO NO RESEMBLANCE TO OG

NONOBJECTIVE SCULPTURE

• COMPLETELY NONREPRESENTATIONAL FORM

• Doesn’t have a starting point in nature

• Arises from CONSTRUCTIVE MANIPULATION of the SCULPTORS GENERALISED IDEAS OF SPATIAL RELATIONS / VOLUMES / LINES / COLOUR / TEXTURE / ETC.

• Linked to MUSIC COMPOSERS

What other branches stem from NONOBJECTIVE SCULPTURE?

• BIOMORPHIC

• FORMALISM

• MINIMALISM

• CONCEPTUAL

• INSTALLATION

BIOMORPHIC

• abstract art

• Irregular & organic forms

• Derived from SHAPES FOUND IN NATURE

• Frequently found in SURREALIST ART

FORMALISM

• EMPHASISES THE FORM (structural qualities)

• CONTENT OVER CREATOR

MINIMALISM

• ELIMINATION OF SELF-EXPRESSION

• GEOMETRICAL SHAPES 7 UNMODULATED COLOURS

• Aim to obtain PURE / SELF-REFERENTIAL FORMS

CONCEPTUAL

• primary aim — COMMUNICATION OF IDEAS BEHIND THE WORK

• Emphasis on the ARTEFACTS RESULTING FROM THE PROCESS OF CREATION

INSTALLATION

• incorporates any form of media into art

• Creation of VISCERAL (instinctual) & CONCEPTUAL EXPERIENCE IN A PARTICULAR ENVIRONMENT

ALEXANDER CALDER

• AMERICAN

• 1898-1976

• Sculptor / painter / illustrator / printmaker / designer

• Influenced by JOAN MIRÓ in PARIS → created WOODEN & METAL MOVABLE ANIMAL SCULPTURES

• 1927-30 — PORTRAIT HEADS INWIRE with similar subjects in wood, later PURE ABSTRACT CONSTR.

• Later using BIOMORPHIC FORMS / CONSTRUCTIVIST APPROACH / SURREALIST IMAGERY

Alexander Calder, Cascading Flowers, 1949 (BOLD & ABSTRACT ELEMENTS IN PRIMARY COL.)

Alexander Calder, Constellation with Tow Pins 1943

Alexander Calder, Teodolapio, Spoleto, 1962

JEAN ARP

• FRENCH

• 1886 - 1966

• Sculptor / painter / collagist / printmaker / poet

• PIONEER OF ABSTRACT ART & FOUNDER OF DADA (Zurich)

• Also participated in SURREALISM & CONSTRUCTIVISM

• Transformed PEOPLE → OBJECT and vice-versa

• Intuitive / absurd / dream-like

• Tendency for unusual methods & materials

• Constructivist influences — STRAIGHT LINES & SHARP-ANGLED NOTCHES

• BASELESS SCULPTURE → more natural / without a predominated orientation

Jean Arp, Birds in an Aquarium, 1920

Jean Arp, Leaves and Navels I, 1930

Jean Arp, Sirène, 1942

Jean Arp, Torso of Muse, 1959

Henry Moore

• BRITISH

• 1898-1986

• Sculptor / draughtsman (detailed technical plans) / printmaker

• MOST IMP. BRITISH SCULPTOR OF 20TH CENTURY

• HUMAN FIGURE → central subject

• Borrowed from diverse cultural traditions (early greek / Sumerian / Egyptian & Etruscan sculpture / etc.)

• his works had a PROFOUND RESONANCE WITH THE PAST

• He believed in DIRECT CARVING & “TRUTH TO MATERIALS” (stone & wood)

• FEMALE FORMS = MOUNTAINS/ VALLEYS / CLIFFS / CAVES

Henry Moore, Reclining Figure, 1939