Saturday, December 20, 2014

History of Modern Sculpture



Modern sculpture arose symbiotically with similar artistic trends in painting and drawing in Europe during the 1800s, lasting until around 1950. It is widely considered to have begun with the work of the French artist Auguste Rodin (1840-1917), who is the forefather of the movement. Rodin is credited with ushering in a new approach and subject matter to the creation of sculpture.

Rodin's work signified a departure from the traditional themes of mythology and allegory prevalent during his time, and instead modeled the human body with intense realism, celebrating the individual character, psychological states, and physicality of his subjects.  The Rodin exhibit at the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle ("world's fair") is widely believed to be the precise beginning of the modern sculptural movement.

He is known for turning away from the idealized traditions of the Greeks and decorative beauty of the Baroque and Neo-Baroque movements, thereby departing with centuries of tradition. Sculptural movements that developed as a result of Modernism include:  Art Nouveau, Cubism, Geometric Abstraction, De Stijl, Suprematism, Constructivism, Dadaism, Surrealism, Futurism, Formalism, Abstract Expressionism, Pop-Art and Minimalism among others.

Fast forward approximately 100 years and the expressionist sculptures of JJ Porret are a dissension of the great Rodin. Visit his site to view a sampling of his modern sculpture creations.

Friday, December 5, 2014

Understanding Abstract Art



To each pair of eyes, abstract art takes on its own meaning. What one sees when they view an abstract sculpture is completely subjective and can be totally different from that of another. It too means that the emotions, feelings and connection felt with an abstract sculpture varies from person to person. Yet, that, that is the beauty of art, particularly in the abstract variety.  

 When viewing a piece of abstract art, a person is inclined to solve the riddle of what it is about. Each artist has a starting point that is the source, or inspiration, behind the work. The first indication to help you understand what an abstract painting or sculpture is about is the creations title. The name behind the art piece will more than likely give you a clue. However, it won’t take you very far - unless you’re willing to think more creatively. 

What does the piece prompt you to think about? How does what you’re looking at make you feel? These are all sure-fire starting points. Begin with asking yourself these kinds of questions and you’ll find the answers a lot less mysterious.

Abstract sculptures and art allow the creator to interpret a subject freely and uniquely, using a visual language of shapes, forms, lines and colors to interpret a subject-matter, without necessarily providing the viewer with a recognizable visual reference point. This holds true for JJPorret, as well. The uniqueness of JJ’s artistry is his strong individuality mixed with tremendous sensitivity that make his abstract sculptures truly one-of-a-kind. View his outdoor sculpture gallery for a preview of some of this tremendous works.