Creating Visual Interest In 3D

Today, We started a discussion about the many strategies that sculptor's employ in order to engage their viewers. We touched on the following- representation, scale, abstraction, curiosity/the unexpected, and content/narrative. It is important to keep in mind that sculptors don't usually use these strategies in isolation. Rather, sculptors use a variety of strategies together in order to hook their viewers. As the term goes on, we will explore these strategies through our in class projects and we will certainly uncover and talk about other way that sculptors create interest in their work. 

For our first project, we will be focusing on representation. In preparation, take a look at the images in this post. Top to bottom the artists are Joseph Wheelwright, Dai Yun, Duane Hanson and Nina Levy. How have the sculptors used representation to engage their viewers? Is representation the key aspect of the piece or are other strategies at play. Post a comment on sculpture space and offer your thoughts. Try to use the vocabulary we covered in class. Go back to the site at least once before class and see what your classmates have said. Jump back into the conversation if you would like to. 

Levels of Three Dimensionality

Here are some images of sculptures that vary in regards to their levels of three dimensionality. Each sculpture can be classified as either low relief, high relief, in the round, or walk through. 

The first is a Mayan low relief sculpture. Look at how the stone is carved to release the shapes in a subtle manner. The sculpture offers a viewing experience from a single fixed viewpoint.

 

The second Sculpture is a high relief piece by Louise Nevelson entitled "Sky Cathedral." Even though the piece is frontal much like the Mayan sculpture, It has substantially more depth which invites the viewer to look and move around the sculpture to a greater extent.

The third sculpture is a piece by Martin Puryear entitled "Bower." The piece sits directly on the floor and it is considered in the round because a viewer can move around it and view it from all angles. Because Martin Puryear's use of linear materials viewers are invited to follows the lines around the piece in order to understand the form from more than one vantage point. 

                                                        

 

The last sculpture, "Walking Figures" by Magdalena 

Abkanowicz, is considered walk through. Multiple, life-size, individual, figural forms are presented in an array over a large area. Viewers not only interact with each singular figure, but also the entire group as a whole. Passing through the space defined by the forms creates an experience that engages the viewers sense of time and place.