How sculpture influences our interaction with the landscape
A London Landscape by Imogen Woodford
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Sculpture
Sculpture is an artform that brings a two- or three-dimensional impression to its audience, whether that be an abstract or representative structure.
Outdoor sculpture has the potential be most impressionable, the artist has the landscape and public as part of their media which can create multiple possibilities, but also complications. When working outside, the artist must take into account weather conditions; materials must be able to endure the climate its in and who may, or may not, be interacting with their work.
Most outdoor public art is interactive. The artist may intend for this, making their work interesting, choosing materials that have texture that’s soft, coarse, cold, or smooth. The choice of material can also influence the message of the artist, and how we interact with the sculpture.
Influences
“Sculpture networks ideas, articulates subjectivities and creates communities.
Sculpture reflects its place – its society – its time. Our time.
Sculpture negotiates material facts with competing interwoven fictions.
Sculpture is inconvenience, a challenge and the unexpected.” By BRIAN GRIFFITHS
A sculpture piece should be well balanced with its surrounding area, its location. However, the location of the artwork can influence how its audience interacts with the sculpture. The reflection of ’place’ can link specifically to its locations, but also could be more liberally. Historical, religious, cultural, or political art expresses the ever-changing society, influencing the current audience. Sculpture should push these changes, creating new views and a new network of opinions.
“The artist should realize how much he is involved in the changing social structure, and how necessary it is to adapt himself to that changing structure.” Henry Moore
Interaction
Our Interactions with sculpture depends on the artists intensions. A sculpture should evoke emotions to its audience, whether that’s joy or sorrow; it should question our relationship to the article. Designed well, the sculpture will be a focal point that draws you in so that you can interact with the art. Sometimes all you need is to hear some laughter, or to partake in the excitement yourself. Not only that, interacting with art creates new perspective of social interaction. Hearing other people enjoy the work can leave you with a positive insight to society. The sculpture may create sounds or reflections that are unexpected, challenging the view of reality.
Landscape
When sculpture is within a landscape, its presents can be impactful on its surrounding area. Depending on its arrangement, a sculpture can become more impressionable with its landscape. Different placements can influence how the viewer perceives the work; placing the sculpture in an open space can change the dynamic of the site making it the focal point, - then if the artist wants to shift your view, they can simply place their art where they want you to see, creating a more interesting viewpoint.
The sculpture should be seen as an extended experience for the audience. The sculpture can use materials that capture the light, reflecting, and refracting, or sound to produce noise. Sculptures that are tucked away can create a more intermit emotion, giving a feeling of calm or reflection.
This short film captures how we as the public interact with sculpture that we stumble upon. All the pieces you will see can be found scattered around London city.
Take a look at how we are naturally drawn to these compositions, attracted to stop, read, observe, touch or photograph.
Value
“Paintings and sculpture, for example, might be regarded as unnecessary trimmings in a society committed by economic necessity to an extreme utilitarian form of architecture.” Henry Moore
Sculpture has always been an unnecessary part of a profit driven society. We have this constant capitalist drive to mass produce, to keep building, to keep drawing in money. In that society, sculpture has no place, or does it? What Moore then goes on to voice, is the issue this society haswith sculptures but then the hypocrisy of this; as without sculpture society would be disheartened. Sculpture creates interest, thought, a view-point, a conversation starter. If we lived without it the joys of art would be less accessible.
So, when you’re next out, and you spot a sculpture piece; stop, take a minute – before you walk on…
Reference list
BRIAN GRIFFITHS, B. (n.d.). article: the importance of sculpture | Royal Society of Sculptors. [online] sculptors.org.uk. Available at: https://sculptors.org.uk/news/2019/12/article-importance-sculpture.
Heath, O. (2017). How outdoor sculptures can bring your garden to life. [online] House Beautiful. Available at: https://www.housebeautiful.com/uk/garden/a2046/garden-outdoor-sculptures/ [Accessed 24 Jan. 2022].
Kennedy, M. (2017). Artists commissioned for outdoor sculptures at Battersea power station. [online] the Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2017/aug/08/artists-commissioned-for-outdoor-sculptures-at-battersea-power-station [Accessed 24 Jan. 2022].
Lenzholzer, S. (n.d.). “Science” and “Art” in landscape architecture knowledge production. [online] Available at: https://edepot.wur.nl/306322 Landscape Architecture group, Wageningen University.
Moore, H. (2015). Henry Moore, “The Sculptor in Modern Society”, in Unesco, International Conference of Artists, Venice 1952. [online] www.tate.org.uk. Tate. Available at: https://www.tate.org.uk/art/research-publications/henry-moore/henry-moore-the-sculptor-in-modern-society-r1175901 [Accessed 24 Jan. 2022].
Price, S. and Grant, A. (2002). Princess Diana Memorial Fountain. [online] Balmori Associates. Available at: http://www.balmori.com/portfolio/princess-diana-memorial-fountain [Accessed 24 Jan. 2022].
Sainz , R. (2020). What is the importance of sculptures in this modern world? [online] Quora. Available at: https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-importance-of-sculptures-in-this-modern-world [Accessed 24 Jan. 2022].
The Arts Development Company. (2020). Outdoor Sculpture Toolkit | Good to Know. [online] Available at: https://theartsdevelopmentcompany.org.uk/news/good-to-know/outdoor-art-toolkit-good-to-know/ [Accessed 24 Jan. 2022].
