Contemporary Sculpture

[sculpt-uk]

Hello everyone.

I joined a few days back and have discovered that this form is very useful but it lacks in some departments, areas that I am interested in.

I am a young sculptor based here in the UK, I am looking to make some new contact with people with similar interest e.g. sculpture, yes I have found that, but I more to the point, similar to my work, similar genre, basically more current and contemporary.

I truly believe that there is a lot of people like myself that are being put off by the fact there is a lot traditional sculptors giving good advice about their practice. I am not trying to be against this, I just would like to encourage a younger more contemporary generation to use this site.

I would love to hear about the students in New York, warehouse exhibitions, young sculptors trying get into the gallery scene where ever they are. I would like to share experience of being an artist/curator, possible share opportunities with all sorts, share info regarding courses like I can help with MA course here in the UK.

I hope that this post does not come over as anti what is already hear; I just would like it to extend further to a broader audience like myself. Any ideas?

Thanks.

[oddist]

I am all for it.

I think a "Contemporary Sculpture" catagory should be added to the Round Table Discussions section of the Sculpture Community.

After all, Sculpture magazine is usually packed with contemporary work.

There is a possibility that because this catagory is not listed many contemporary sculptors do not participate.

Does someone out there know how to get this done?

[fritchie]

You've just started the proper forum, Sculpt-UK. We have had a fair number of posts from people doing what I’d call “contemporary” work, but these have been scattered. Perhaps this post will be a focus.

Can you add some images of your own work, or describe some of it? This might help start things. Meanwhile, Welcome!

[oddist]

I am sorry, but I disagree.

I have visited sculpt-uk's web site, viewed his work, read a press release for his show, read his own words about his work, and don't think it belongs in the "Art Lounge" as an off topic discussion.....

This type of work needs its own place...

After all, there is a Figurative Sculpture catagory.

I've seen other works that also don't have a real home here yet...For instance here (http://www.sculpture.net/community/showthread.php?p=7830#post7830)

[sculpt-uk]

Hello,

Yes I agree with oddist, I think a new section called "Contemporary Sculpture" should be included in the list of Round Table Discussions. I would be very happy to discuss anything related about my practice but in an area where people with a similar interest can quickly find the section. Oddist also mentioned about the ISC magazine, my boss is a member and we receive the magazine, I happily read about contemporary work in it all the time. So we should reflect that in this forum.

Also the ISC have a student competition where my old university I believe is the only UK one to be entered into, is very important, and we must encourage those entrees to participate in discussing their new practices.

Thanks.

[ironman]

Hi, Yeah, I agree, there should be a section for contemporary sculpture. Although most of us here, whether non-objective or figurative sculptors are object makers, working to make forms of beauty/ contemplation/ feeling, in 3 dimensions, esthetically based on old notions of what sculpture is or should be. Your work is different, more contemporary, not so much based on form (esthetics) but on the thought provoking aspect first, with little regard to form, only in so far as it's used (economically) to provoke whatever question or contemplative thinking you wish to bring forth, unencumbered by traditional esthetics, which confuse the issue. Your work is more direct and to the point, which seems to be where contemporary art is heading. I like that piece, on the wagon, and although it reminds one of Smith's wagons, it is so different in "intent".
Have a nice day,
Jeff

[sculptorsam]

For a slightly different approach to the question... if you want to discuss contemporary work, I'd suggest starting a topic somewhere. Sculpture Focus Topics would be good, but here is fine as well. As you can see, discussion can be generated everywhere.

As for why Figurative Work gets it's own topic... page through a random Sculpture Mag once again. As many have observed, "Contemporary" work is plentiful, figurative is not. I don't do figurative work, I'm not even particularly a fan, but I appreciate the effort, sensitivity, and several thousand year old tradition. I'd be willing to guess that there are still many aspects to creating this work that are at risk of being lost due to being localized in the knowledge of only a few individuals. The process is complicated, the materials are expensive and dangerous, and the PR wizards are not standing up on its behalf.

I would suggest that the reason there is so much information here related to object-making-process and practical business/exhibition matters, is that is information one can put to use and speak concretely about. In relatively few words, I can convey what welding rod to use on Cor-ten steel and the person reading will be able to go to their local supplier and buy it. It could require an entire essay to discuss the themes or concerns of a work. And personally, I am a visual artist, not a writer. The short-coming, for me, of much contemporary work is that they seem to exist as diagrams for a philosophical/sociological/political view. They are not self-sufficient, they require a white label telling the viewer what the work is "about." Personally, I don't find that very interesting. But the beauty of a forum like this is it doesn't matter. Someone else is interested and this is the way to find them and congregate.

I had a few other thoughts as well but technically I'm on "vacation" and I'm getting the evil eye from my wife. Welcome to the forum. I look forward to seeing more conversations concerning contemporary sprout up.

Sam

[fritchie]

I think Sam has the best idea here, and I see Sculpt-UK already has followed his advice to start a new thread in the Sculpture Focus section.

I’ll have to admit I sort of dodged the ball in my first post, not being sure of just how Sculpt-UK meant the term Contemporary Sculpture and not having the time to visit your site. I have just visited, and I find it visually and sculpturally quite strong. Sam also has given the historical reason for the section on Figurative Sculpture. ISC over the years has concentrated on nonfiguration, and the bulk of the work here fits that description.

As you can see, Russ designed this forum in a very flexible way, so that participants largely direct the flow and structure.

[Aysun]

Tradıtıonal art-ıst

Generally people knows that tradıtıonal art means fıguratıve art. But we know that tradıtıonalızm ıs not lıke that. ıt comprıses that metarıals, composıtıons, forms etc. In Asıa every cultures have theır own composıtıons. Lıke Indıa, Japanıes etc. In our country(Turkey) all artısts must study and apply all theır learnıngs from academıes. But they composed all theır learnıng wıth theır tradıtıons.
Other way Tradıtıonal art-ıst means that an artıst Who has hıs sıgnet.!!

[mynick]

traditional vs contemporary

What exactly do we mean by traditional? I doubt if it can be set apart from contemporary.I'm stuck to the 'traditional' method of hammer & chisel & chip,chip,chip away though i can still carve contemporary pieces.
Or are we talking surreal?

[oddist]

I'm going to stick my neck out here and say that much Contemporary Art is like "Topical Music" (There was alot of this in the 60's especially in so called Folk music circles.)...it is very "present" oriented and may not live very long.

Good "Topical" or "Contemporary" work ,however, will stand the test of time. This would be work, I think, that has eternal meaning.

As for Asyun's comments about tradition and technique (metarıals, composıtıons, forms etc) ..I believe this falls under the catagory of the "medium" as described here at "What do Artists do?" (http://www.selectedworks.co.uk/whatdoartistsdo.html)

[GaryR52]

Good point, Oddist. Though I'm a modernist, myself, I tend to gravitate to what would be called "classic" modernism, which, in terms of sculpture, would be the likes of Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Jean Arp, et al; sculptors whose works still have a timeless quality to them. I believe this is because they explored pure organic form and pure organic form never dates because it is always a part of our world.

Then there are those whose work is a flash in the pan, such as the photographer Cindy Sherman, or the painter, Robert Longo, whose early eighties rapid rise to art stardom ultimately fizzled out. Same for the "graffitti" artists of the early eighties. The tendency to appeal to the current tastes of the critics by doing the new and the outlandish nearly always ultimately culminates in long-term obscurity unless there is some timeless aspect to what one is doing that transcends the gimmic of the moment.

Gary

[Tlouis]

If the work of sculpt-uk, shown on his web site is any indication of where contemporary sculpture is headed, then we are in for a long, dry and tedious road ahead. All those beautiful trees cut down. For what? To make some of the most stulifyingly boring stuff--I won't call it sculpture--I have ever seen. I have no doubt more than one brick-bat will now be thrown in my direction. So be it. I call em the way I seez em.
Lou

[obseq]

Hi, Tlouis,

You're certainly entitled to an opinion, but you've only really commented on your disapproval on sculpt-uk's use of materials. Personal ethics aren't sufficient to qaulify any body of work as 'boring.'

[sparklemachine]

Sculpt-Uk,

Went to your site. I like your work very very much! Very cool stuff. It is hard to get things off the ground especically when your sculpint is so unconventional. I am running into the same issues with my stuff. Going digital the way you have is the way to do it I think.

Keep up the good work.

Sparklemachine.com
sparklemachine.blogspot.com

[Tlouis]

Hi Obseq

I take your point. I admit, there are times when my love and reverence for the natural world blunts my critical faculties. Having said that, this stuff bores me because it does not engage me intellectually, emotionally and certainly not viscerally on any level. No gut reaction, no interest. The only esthetic value in this stuff is the intrinsic beauty of the wood for which Sculp-uk can take no credit. These pieces remind me of most of what I see when I occasionaly pick up a copy of Sculpture magazine, the self-appointed arbiter of what is and isn't sculpture: the silly, non-sensical, idiotic, stupid, boring, pretentious. The list goes on. Evidently these so-called sculptors adhere to the Andy Warhol dictum: "Art is what you can get away with." And one hell of a lot is being got away with. Each issue packed with photos of garbage and reams and reams of gobbledegook text. I'll throw in my own dictum: Crap has always been with us and always will be. What a pity. And watch where you step.

Lou

[JamesW]

Thanks for that Lou
I think you just demonstrated why 'Contemporary Sculpture' should be included in the list of Round Table discussions. I find these sweeping vitriolic attacks on contemporary sculptural practice quite 'silly, non-sensical, idiotic, stupid, boring, pretentious'. Also quite intimidating and un-welcoming for those of us whose practice might not fall into the traditional camp.
So thanks Sculpt-uk, great suggestion.
Really interesting work & great website too.
James

[Tlouis]

Very clever James, using my own words to attack my post. My words are not so much vitriolic as honest. I don't see the point in making a post if what is required is couching my words in pussy-willow phrases. Anyone who engages in an open public forum has to be able to take whatever is thrown at him/her. Remember, we learn much more from negative criticism, just as we learn more from our mistakes.

Have a sculpture rich day, Lou :)

[obseq]

Lou,

Great reply. I certainly see your perspective and agree in part.
Oftentimes, contemporary art offers a tired rehashing of a singularly, innovative idea, that really should have lived and died with the first respective explorations. I often think of the Suprematists like Kandinsky, whose original formal explorations of object/color arrangment/dynamism were truly innovative, and likely did not require additional artistic replication or interpretation.

Recent times has delivered an influx of Modern Art that is widely guilty of intellectual fraud-- Specifically, using expensive concepts and traditions cheaply. A few years back, I visited LACMA, (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) and saw a painting entitled, "Blue Dot on Masonite," dated sometime in the last 20 years. Accompanying this painting was a meandering socioeconomic diatribe of what the blue dot represented. It's this sort of correlative nonsense that brings down Modern Art-- Willfully usurping ideas and repackaging them in a tacky veneer.

As for the work Sculpt-UK's shared, I am particularly drawn to the industrious presentation of something very massive with the fragility and imminent collapse of something like a deck of cards. Where your criticism of material-choice is concerned, I could still walk away with the same reaction if he decided to use something like bricks or something similarly massive-- The critical point of consideration is only the delicate reintroduction of mass, expressed, in my view, effectively.

(Your dictum-- Noted! :))

Hi Obseq

I take your point. I admit, there are times when my love and reverence for the natural world blunts my critical faculties. Having said that, this stuff bores me because it does not engage me intellectually, emotionally and certainly not viscerally on any level. No gut reaction, no interest. The only esthetic value in this stuff is the intrinsic beauty of the wood for which Sculp-uk can take no credit. These pieces remind me of most of what I see when I occasionaly pick up a copy of Sculpture magazine, the self-appointed arbiter of what is and isn't sculpture: the silly, non-sensical, idiotic, stupid, boring, pretentious. The list goes on. Evidently these so-called sculptors adhere to the Andy Warhol dictum: "Art is what you can get away with." And one hell of a lot is being got away with. Each issue packed with photos of garbage and reams and reams of gobbledegook text. I'll throw in my own dictum: Crap has always been with us and always will be. What a pity. And watch where you step.

Lou