Have you heard? Zatista is expanding its collection and beginning to curate one-of-a-kind sculptures! As a kid, I remember not truly understanding sculpted art. “Mommy, did he do something bad? Is that my they covered him in tinfoil?”
William Shakespeare, John Quincy Adams Ward, Central Park, www.wikipedia.org
Grandeur statues of historically significant people have their place in classic art, however it is the innovative and contemporary that romances me and leaves me in awe. The rule, “look but don’t touch,” never worked well in my book, which is why I love interactive sculpture made for touching, playing and exchange.
A recent public art project in New York City, “Lightness of Being,”co-curated by Public Art Fund Director and Chief Curator Nicholas Baume and Associate Curator Andria Hickey, consists of 11 contemporary sculptures, all by different artists.
The French artist Daniel Buren's "Suncatcher" (2013). Credit: Todd Heisler/The New York Times
Ugo Rondinone, one the of the project’s sculptors, decided against the traditional sculpted piece for the exhibition. Instead, he recreated a live exhibition from 1966, dog days are over. The performance piece consisted of a fully dressed sleeping clown, sitting on a park bench. The clown was not meant to speak with anyone, but passers-by could interact with the clown as they pleased. The performance takes place every Friday between 11 am and 5 pm.
Dog days are over, Ugo Rondinone, City Hall Park, nytimes.com
Another contributing piece to the outdoor exhibition, artist David Shrigley cast a pair of his own flip flops out of steel, and affixed them to the cement next to one of the park’s many fountains. The idea is that it seems as if someone has thrown caution to the wind, slipped off their sandals, and gone for a swim. Be careful trying on this particular pair of footwear – they get particularly hot in the summer sun!
Metal Flip Flops, David Shrigley, City Hall Park, publicartfund.org
A public sculpture installation found in Almere, Amsterdam, depends on human interaction. The sculptures are called Marbles – moulded shapes, full of LED lights. The artist of these futuristic installations, Daan Roosegaarde, calls them a “digital playground”. The shapes respond to touch or a person approaching by changing color, as well as making whale-like calls. Much like the mammals they are modeled after, these installations are able to communicate with themselves, adding some digital interactivity to the mix.
Marbles, Daan Roosegaarde, Almeres, Amsterdam, thecreatorsproject.vice.com
Seen any artful BMW commercials lately? Perhaps you’ve learned of Dutch artist, Theo Jansen, and his innovative, kinetic sculptures. These moving “Standbeests” as he refers to them, are a mix of art and engineering. Made of light PVC, the simple mechanisms of the sculpture are not powered with technology and move freely with the force of the wind.
Know as the modern day DaVinci - Theo Jansen, www.spillspace.com
Art is an essential part of life and culture. Art is discovery and expression, and we know it as something we appreciate. More and more we are encouraged to make our own art – no matter what medium, no matter how simple. What is even better are the walls that are being broken down between artwork and audience. To feel what an artist has sculpted from nothing, is to feel more of the expression than to simply look at an artwork.
Related articles
Comments (0)