Exploring Sculpture | thebodyandperception

EXPLORING SCULPTURE.

Memory and Sculpture.

Following the research undertaken toward the role of the body in Architecture and Art culture today, a selection of exploratory visits were carried out in order to further understand and experience the emotions that are evoked when in these certain locations and why this happens; Investigating the multi-sensory experience of sculpture on the body, on my body and on the perceptual mind across the void of the same landscape.

As previously depicted, the presence of sculpture can endure the passing of time and the corrosion of elements, however the role of the human form cannot. Ranging from the open air sculpture gallery at Yorkshire sculpture park, to exploring Antony Gormleys sculptures of 'Another Place' at Crosby beach to experiencing Love Lock Bridge in Paris; these projects share a connection of memory and place within the landscape and the remembrance of specific moments in time.

Yorkshire Sculpture Park - Open Air Gallery, Wakefield.

Henry Moore.	Lakeside.	Henry Moore.
Magdalena Abakanowicz.	Henry Moore.	Magdalena Abakanowicz.
Henry Moore.	David Nash. Seventy One Steps.	Hidden Banksy.
Climbing through the Park.	Martin Creed; Order and Chaos.	Henry Moore.
Surrounding forest.	Magdalena Abakanowicz.	Sophie Ryder.
Magdalena Abakanowicz.	Ancient Well.	Antony Gormley.
Andy Goldsworthy.	Henry Moore. Shaping the Body.	Martin Creed.
Surrounding Landscape.	Wooden Structure.	Henry Moore.
Structured Bark.	Winter/Horbelt.	Oppenheim Landscape.
Earth and Decay.	Flowing Falls.	Hidden in the Hillside.

The Open Air Gallery at Yorkshire Sculpture Park showcases some of the most unique sculpture across the United Kingdom. Henry Moore, Magdalena Abakanowicz, David Nash, Banksy, Martin Creed, Sophie Ryder, Antony Gormley and Andy Goldsworthy are just a select few of the sculptors who have a permanent display out in the landscape of the Denby Dales. Most of the installations themselves represent the idea and conceptual form of the human body. For instance, the collection of bronze sculptures produced by Henry Moore are interpretations of the human form; the placement of these installations are carefully considered with each angle relating to the scale and character of the piece.

Andy Goldsworthy has created a dynamic relationship with the past history of the site and the natural surroundings. In his work 'hanging trees' which can be seen above, he intended the work to 'be about those things we do not see - that demand a physical engagement of the land' [Andy Goldsworthy: 2007]. Goldsworthy's work relates to the natural battle between man and the earth; land which is farmed and the foliage of the natural landscape. The use of stone in his worked was conveyed as the permanent fixture, whereas the trees the trees inclusive of weathering and the decay of wood over time, is used to symbolise out mortal life.

Sophie Ryder exemplifies the physique of her own female body with the characterised dominant head of the hare, within her sculptures at the park. These provide an emotion of power and curiosity towards the woman, providing distinct characterisations for each individual’s perception.

Whilst at the park, you were able to engage with the sculptures there within that landscape. There was a sense of freedom through order out in the rolling country hills where you were free to roam as you please. Personally, it was not a very spiritual experience regarding the importance of the body; it did not make me contemplate reason or the significance of my existence due to the lack of connection and vivid sense of place. However, the sculptures will stand for the specific viewing pleasure of visitors to the Open Air Gallery for years to come.

Antony Gormley. Another Place; Crosby Beach.

Antony Gormley; Another Place.

Antony Gormley’s, Another Place is a sight to be beheld. It is a prime example of how the presence of the human body can enhance the vivid natural landscape. 100 cast-iron figures stand-alone yet all together across a barren landscape of sand and sea. Antony Gormley is able to capture man's fleeting relationship with nature and shows this in its most apparent form; the effect of weathering through the seasons and motion of the tide. Subsequently, symbolising the effect of time on the human body.

The imagery here, is simply magnificent, it portrays the glory of the horizon line and the successive field between the sky and sea. The figures themselves portray a journey; a soul with a story, waiting and contemplating. The remembrance of the human body is over powering. It makes me contemplate my own life and what the future may bring beyond my own horizon. The apparent decay on the figures makes me grasp the reality of time on my own body and that one day my soul will return to the earth.

Even though the sculptures are not living, the very identity of the human form searching out towards the horizon is dramatic. They are not lifeless creatures, they are too part of a process, they too have seen the passing of the seasons and the tides. They are made up of this stardust.

The location and perspective of these landscaped figures makes me dream of our importance and significance within the world. It makes me feel present; to embrace each moment in time.

This visit is a vital part of my research into the realisation and the full understanding of what it is to be, through transcendal subjectivity by just simply ‘being’.

Grasmere, The Lake District & Reedbed Nature Reserve.

Grasmere, The Lake District.	Memory and People.	Names in Landscape.
Marbury Reedbed Nature Reserve.	Feeling the imprints.

The idea of remembrance and the physicality of capturing a specific moment in time with regards to human experience and existence is apparent here within the on-going installation at Grasmere in the Lake District. They have supplanted a way to bring memory, people and place together by inserting personalised plaques into the earth. The plaques contain the name and hometown of the individual that visited that site. Located in the centre of the village in the local church yard, visitors gather in order to observe the names and the places that people have travelled from far and wide. The visit was useful towards exploring the ideas of my research as it makes a connection between the presence of place and the individual; the observer and the observed have received a similar experience in that same place in the world just a separate moments in time.

Reedbed Nature Reserve contains small sculptures embedded with the imprints of the human hand. This initially makes the viewer want to physically place their own hand into the stone. As you can see from the image above, my grandma, my mum and myself, three generations of our family, placed our hands within the sculpture, attaching ourselves to the stone, to the sculptor and to each other. It is this power to share an experience through specific moments in time which is so special. Just like the way we view the stars at this one precise point in time, as in reality by the time the light reaches our earth and our eyes the stars may already be gone. So who were the initial creators of this stone? What were their relationships to each other? Where they stood the way we are now? And what is this purpose?

Love Lock Bridge, Paris.

Paris, Love Lock Bridge.	Paris, Love Lock Bridge.	Streets of Paris.
The mind trapped, Paris.

Love Lock Bridge in Paris is a beautiful example of people from all over the world sharing precious memories and experiences together. Each couple attaches a padlock onto the side of the bridge; this is a symbol of their love and connection to each other. The padlock joins themselves with the city of Paris; in a way their presence will remain in Paris even if they do not, their memories may travel across the world but the physical mark of that moment will always connect to that city. This has further enhanced my knowledge towards capturing certain moment in place and time.

The Tate Modern, London & The Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

The Tate Modern, London.	The Tate Modern, London.	The Tate Modern, London.
Victoria and Albert Museum.

A visit to the Tate Modern in London and the Victoria and Albert Museum proved that there are commonly certain representations in sculpture today towards the form of the human body, the images can be seen above. The exterior space at the Victoria and Albert museum housed a large installation of three figures peering into different directions of the space. At the Tate Modern the presence of the physical body when viewing art work can be just as poetic; the individual is perceiving that piece in their own unique way, relating to emotions felt through the painting and through their own experiences. This visit shows that our interpretation of the body is relevant today throughout modern art culture and these ideas of the ‘self’ expand.

Newstead Abbey, Nottingham.

Newstead Abbey.	People Placed in the Landscape.	Unique Seating Spots.
Memory and Sculpture.	Relationship to the House.

Newstead Abbey, a historic home located in Nottingham, surrounded by acres of landscaped gardens, parklands, lakes and waterfalls; formally owned by the poet Lord Byron. Here, the sculptures within the landscaped gardens have all been produced using natural materials which will incorporate life and growth throughout the year. This can be seen in the images above showing a wire man resting between the fruit plants and special seating made from the natural vines of the earth.

The memory of the history of the home can be felt within the grounds themselves. Lord Byron placed a monument on remembrance of his beloved dog, who died at the abbey in 1808. Although not a human being, the pain that was once felt continues to be expressed here after. The inscription on the monument reads:

‘Near this spot are deposited the remains of one who possessed beauty without vanity, strength without insolence, courage without ferocity and all the virtues of man without his vices. This praise, which would be unmeaning Flattery if inscribed over human ashes. Is but a just tribute to the memory of Boatswain, a Dog’

It goes on to poetically state:

'When some proud son of man returns to earth. Unknown to the glory but upheld by birth. The sculptor’s art exausts the pomp of woe. And stories urns record who rests below: When all is done, upon the tomb is seen. Not what he was, but what he should have been. But the poor dog in life the firmest friend. The first to welcome, foremost to defend. Whose honest heart is still his masters own, who labours, fights, lives, breathes for him alone. Unhonour’d falls, unnotic’s all his worth. Deny’d in heaven the soul he held on earth: While man, vain insect! Hopes to be forgiven. And claims himself a sole exclusive heaven. Oh man! Thou feeble tenant of an hour, Debas’d by slavery, or corrupt by power. Who knows thee well, must quit thee with disgust. Degraded mass of animated dust! Thy love is lust, thy friendship all a cheat. Thy tongue hypocrisy, they heart deceit. By natural vile, ennobled but by name. Each kindred brute might bid thee blush for shame. Ye! Who behold perchance this simple urn. Pass on, it honours none you wish to mourn. To mark a friend’s remains these stones arise. I never knew but one – and here he lies.'

Conclusion.

The experience of exploring sculpture has been enlightening to say the least. The highlight of the visits undertaken was certainly Antony Gormleys another place. It was clear through his work that the ideas intended are portrayed through the sculpture, the environment, our physical experience, past memories and our subjective future. This visit enabled me to feel present within just one moment of this world of constant influx and change.

Subsequently an experience of sculpture on all of the senses can only be viable if the emotive presence, physical interactions and sense of place have been heightened through the human body and its connection to the earth. From the visits, it is clear that the remembrance of life is an idea that plays an important role in our society today with the fear of the unknown and the question of what will happen when the reality of our existence ends. The ideas of ancient philosophy and cosmology are predominant in these modern ideals as the answer will still always remain the same - it is the void and darkness of the unidentified world.