Primeval

[novabelgica]

I am working on new stuff for a solo show in Berlin in December 2009. This will be a series called 'Asylum' with a motley collection of tortured creatures. This first sculpture is called 'Primeval'. After finishing it, for some reason, it made me think of a newborn.

This is also a new start for me. Up untill now, all my work has been very polished. This new stuff is very rough. I am not treating or grinding down any welding seams on these, which I have to admit is very difficult for me to resist.

But somehow this rougher look fits the theme I think. What do you guys figure?

The sculpture is made of mild steel, burned and varnished and is life-size.

[desertrock]

We need more light on the front of this piece.
Also, this piece is more in sync with what anatomist1 does, visceral, primevil, raw, and gregarious with his style of expression (meant as a compliment).
Though he may be busy piling up metal with his new wire feed welder.
Give us another image....
Mark

[jOe~]

But somehow this rougher look fits the theme I think. What do you guys figure?

I've been an admirer of your work, especially the skill. You can materialize whatever you envision it seems. The feel I get from this piece is that it is not finished, but perhaps a first draft for a new direction. Knowing your abilities , I think you can do more to further the concept you're working on. For me,the rough welds don't work in this context--too large relative to the entire head, too rough relative to the smoother areas. There is too much visual attention called to them and I don't' feel they announce their message. If the head was entirely rougher, thicker, heavier looking, cast looking, or over sized, it would hold more interest and power. "Primeval" suggests a certain degree of bruteness that thin varnished metal doesn't convey.

[evaldart]

Very nice piece Nova. Your decision to allow for the ceremony of your process by resisting the urge to "finish" the work is a very good one as I see it; a leap or breakthrough, even. It means that you are purifying your labor and forsaking the after-the-act busywork that had you concerned with perceived superficialities.
I'd beware of any show title that trapped the whole lot of work within a decided tone or narrative. Why prepare them? Besides are viewers to expect to see only images of torture and insanity? While theres nothing at all wrong with building a body of work, or even a career, upon imageries of torture and insanity, your decision to allow for "rougher" revelations means your creative priorities are shifting; leaning away from the "resolving" and more towards the "relishing".

Remember, it is not the case that your work MUST wreak horrific (but its quite okay if it does).

My first major solo show back in 91 was titled "Variations on the Guillotine and other such Contraptions". I had disarmed the actuality of the work by the movie title. I very soon thereafter wished I had called it "Recent Sculpture".

Good luck in Berlin. Be sure to get us pics.

[LimeCutter]

Originally Posted by novabelgica

This first sculpture is called 'Primeval'.

I could imagine spending a long time looking at it. In a sense captivating but also macabre.

To me it is an industrial figure, maybe a remnant of some forgotten machine age and with a man made feel about it. Hence the quote above as I am not entirely sure of the connotations associated with the title?

Good stuff

[I.Chonov]

Well , it may be so obvious , that nobody wants to say it( ), but my first thought was " WOW!-this is how I've allways imagined Frankenstein!" - scary and in pain on the same time; very good work, Nova - can't wait to see more of your

motley collection of tortured creatures.

P.S.-just like jOe , I would prefer the welds a bit more discreet, but that's just IMO

Ivan