Archive for the 'Art' Category

Marble Sculptures : Splendid Art on Marble

Friday, March 6th, 2009
Priyanshu Shrivastava asked:


Immaculate Marble Sculptures with polished looks have intrigued generations of people with their refined beauty, sophistry and elegance. Timeless masterpieces of art the sculptures in marble stones radiate an air of aristocracy and luxury. Wonderful statues, idols, decorative pieces are sculpted from metamorphosed limestones that are popularly known as marbles.

The sculptures celebrate the greatness of mortal souls into tactile forms. Invaluable legacies of art the sculptures have great cultural and historical significance. They speak about the art, culture and heritage of the bygone era. These immortal artworks can inspire the young artists and connoisseurs of arts.

The sculptors engraved impressive structures from blocks of marble. Tools like chisels, hammers and hand drills helped them to sculpt their creations. Rubbing stones and sandpapers were used to smoothen the outer surface.

Coats of shiny polishes like tin oxides were applied to add luster and glow to the sculptures. Marbles were used extensively for figurative works for the ease of use, remarkable quarrying capacities and durability that increased with ages. The translucent surfaces enabled a uniform and in-dept realistic touch to the structures.

The practice of sculpting marble into exotic pieces of art came to India from the European countries. Marble sculpting was practiced in vogue in Italy, Rome, Paris, England from the late eighteenth century. Soudbinine, Bourdelle, Leon Fourquet, Rodin, Victor Peter and Jean Escoula are some world famous sculptors who had left some indelible pieces of marble arts that inspire awe and reverence.

The tradition of Marble sculptures in India began with the carvings of religious deities. Idols of Buddha, Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, Lakshmi Devi and Goddess Durga spellbind with their intricate engravings, meticulousness, clarity and precision.

Spectacular architectures and royal buildings were established from fine marbles. The Taj Mahal of Agra is a living example of marble architecture built during the Mughal era. Inspired by traditional as well as contemporary arts, the sculptures in marble are visual embodiments of aesthetic creativity and excellent craftsmanship of the regional artists. Other popular themes captured in the sculptures were female figurines with all their feminine charms and graces.

Figures of birds, animals and tribal people were also modeled from the marbles. Colored marbles in shades of pink, green, red, gray and white were used along with the pure white marbles. Today the marble sculptures have made entry into the domestic arena as decorative art pieces in the form of figurines, furniture, fireplaces, photo frames, vases, medallions, show pieces, tiles and garden sculptures. The breathtaking creations of marble make for elegant and stylish indoor and outdoor decorations and cherished gifts to the loved ones.

Visit www.india-crafts.com For further information on Marble Sculptures



ALVA

Sculpture as an Art Form

Friday, March 6th, 2009
Wendy Hermann asked:


In many ways, sculptures are the art of the people. More so than paintings. More than literature.

Sculptures of great military figures in the parks of many cities are meant to inspire pride and patriotism in ones country. Sculptures of great religious figures found in churches are meant to create a sense of spiritual awe. Sculptures of great political leaders are meant to inspire people to achieve greatness. The sculptures of a society, because they often reside in accessible public places are seen by millions of people every day. They reflect society like no other type of art.

Sculpture like most forms of art is created with the idea of expressing a view. That view can be personal, political, religious, or other in nature. Invariably the view is meant to also meant to trigger an emotion in the heart and head of the viewer.

Determining the quality of a sculpture is very difficult and is subjective as best. Artists as well as artist styles go in and out of vogue. But generally, any sculpture which can cause an emotion whether it is bringing tears to your eyes or joy to your heart can safely be considered art by most people.

A sculpture, even if not particularly distinctive in and of itself, can also be considered art if has influenced other major artist or art pieces. Paintings and sculptures also seem to attain “art” status as they survive the passage of time. That is why prehistoric drawings that you see in museums are treated as art even though they would not pass muster if an art student painted them today.

Sculpture is a unique form of art - related to but separate from painting, music, poetry, and writing. Unlike the others, a sculpture is a three dimensional work of art. From its very beginnings, a sculpture was meant to last. Sculpture pieces were created using materials that themselves had passed the test of time - stone and marble, hard metals such as gold and silver, and wood.

One reason art is so hard to define is that artists, especially the creative ones, are often attempting to break the mold, to create something new. They want to create something unlike anything else around. And many times when that happens, the people of that time aren’t willing to accept the work as art. It’s just too far ahead of its time. Then later, if it lasts, people gradually begin to see the layers of complexity in it. They begin to understand and appreciate its meanings and nuances.

Early and even some later Pablo Picasso sculptures are a perfect example of this. I remember when Picasso’s 50 foot high untitled sculpture was first placed in Chicago’s Civic Center Plaza. Many considered it a monstrosity. Some newspapers panned it. And now, what was once so controversial, has become an undisputed landmark for the city of Chicago.

Sculpture is truly the art of the common man.



GROVER

Contemporary Abstract Sculpture

Friday, March 6th, 2009
Alina asked:


Sculpture is defined as a human made three-dimensional object given the recognition of an art. Abstract sculpture is one, which is devoid of any definite shape or figure. The Contemporary Abstract Sculpture has been regarded as more interesting to the students of sculpture. The Contemporary Abstract Sculpture has the open provision of certain creation, which is far away from being specific and figurative. For most of the time it is beyond our ken.

Abstract Sculpture is one, which is abstruse, speculative and tough to understand. It is the unique aptitude and thought of the sculptor which he creates through an abstract sculpture. The aptitude of a sculptor is manifested in his sculpture.

In the Contemporary days Abstract Sculpture has reached the height of fame and is given equal importance as that of Figurative sculpture.

Contemporary Abstract Sculpture has the potential to add maximum pleasure and charm in our life. It also widens our appreciation of the intellectual and aesthetic potential of a sculpture. The myriad style, techniques and ingredients used for abstract sculpture in the contemporary days is more or less similar to those used in the primitive days.

Through out history the materials used for sculpture by the sculptors were mainly bronze, marble, limestone, granites etc. Precious materials were in use too, such as gold, silver, ivory and jade. It is evident from Contemporary Abstract Sculpture that along with the use of the primitive materials, the use of glass, sand, aluminium, iron, polymers, many other synthetic materials and liquid crystals are well preferred by the modern abstract sculptors. Enriched with the different materials an abstract sculpture in the contemporary days exposes exquisite beauty.



RAMIRO