Tag: metal work

Xavier Mascaro

Xavier Mascaro, “The iron Guardians”, Cast Steel, 2010, Spain

Xavier Mascaro’s work “Guardians” calls to mind – albeit in iron – the terracotta warriors of Ancient China. Up to 10ft tall, these faceless sentinels manage to look imposing yet protective at the same time. Again, unlike so much contemporary sculpture, which revels in its ephemerality, these works – you think – could date back centuries, even millennia. They command those old-fashioned artistic virtues: awe, solemnity and respect.

Mascaró is also of interest for anyone with a particular curiosity about Spanish sculpture. His fondness for iron reflects that of his Iberian predecessors, Julio González, Jorge Oteiza and Eduardo Chillida. Yet, he rejects the abstract approach so popular during the later years of Franco’s regime – a form of subsumed political dissent – in favour of the figurative.

Kinetic Sculpture “Octo 3″ by Anthony Howe

 

Art in Movement: Kinetic Sculpture “Octo 3″ by Anthony Howe, Stainless Steel, 25 Feet High, 30 Feet in Diameter.

Anthony Howe (born 1954, Salt Lake City, Utah) is an American kinetic sculptor who creates wind-driven sculptures resembling pulsing, alien creatures and vortices. He makes use of computer-aided design, shaping the metal components with a plasma cutter, and completing his work by use of traditional metalworking techniques. “Multiple axis finely balanced forms, both symmetrical and asymmetrical, conspire to create a visually satisfying three-dimensional harmony.”

(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)

Jody Simpson

 

Jody Simpson:  Cutlass, Broadswords, Leafblades and Sabres

Most people know Jody Samson as the creator of the “Conan™” swords – he sculpted and assembled the blade and hilt for the “Master’s (Father’s) Sword™.” He created the blade for and assembled the “Atlantean™” sword. Both have become icons in the Conan™ legend, inspiration to swordsmiths everywhere, and symbols to many of the epitome of swords and sword making.

“The Best there is…” -Terry English (armorer for ‘Excalibur’ and’ The Messenger’)

“A Jody Samson sword commands instant respect. It is all made to order, totally custom, all hand made to precision. You’ve heard the old saying ‘The sword seemed to come alive in his hand’?” -John Steven Soet, Inside Karate, July 1998

“Jody is a sculptor, an artist, a man who expresses himself in steel in much the same way as a painter does on his canvas and as a musician does with his instrument.” -C. Flambourari, K.G.H.M., La Passionades Couteux

Ai Weiwei

Ai Weiwei, “Circle of Animals/ Zodiac Heads”, Somerset House, London, England, 12 Bronze Casts, Each Ten Feet Tall.

Despite acclaim in his home country – receipt of the Chinese Contemporary Art Award for Lifetime Contribution in 2008; his close work with architects Herzog & de Meuron in designing the “Bird’s Nest” National Olympic Stadium for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games; his reputation as one of China’s top artists; and his father’s status as one of China’s most renowned poets – contemporary Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has frequently found himself at odds with the Chinese government.

Such is the case in 2011 as his “Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads” went on view in the courtyard of London’s Somerset House. What was originally scheduled as a press call to interview Ai Weiwei and an opportunity to photograph the artist with his “Circle of Animals” was altered to a sans artist event due to his disappearance in early April of 2011. Ai Weiwei’s whereabouts were unknown. Although no explanation was given for his disappearance, it was widely believed Ai Weiwei was detained by Chinese authorities in response to the online publication of a photograph featuring Ai Weiwei naked except for a toy horse covering his genitals along with a caption in Mandarin that could be interpreted as “Fuck your mother, the party central committee.”

In 21 June 2012, Ai Weiwei’s bail was lifted. Although he is allowed to leave Beijing, the police informed him that he is still prohibited from traveling to other countries because he is “suspected of other crimes,” including pornography, bigamy and illicit exchange of foreign currency. As of 2014, he remains under heavy surveillance and restrictions of movement, but continues to criticize through his work.

Whitey Metheny

Whitey Metheny: The Sheath Knife

These are all handmade knives made by Whitey Metheny from start to finish. He forges the steel blade, makes the handle of the knife, and fashions the handmade sheath to tightly fit the blade. This is his hobby; he makes only 10-15 knives a year. Some he gives as gifts to friends; some he sells to those who are lucky to find him. Beautifully balanced.

The artist’s site:  http://whitey.methenyknives.com

The Fascinus

 

The Fascinus

In ancient Rome, the fascinus was the embodiment of the divine phallus, with the effigy or amulet in the shape of a penis known as a fascinum. From the Latin word ‘fascinum’ and the related verb ‘fascinare’ comes the English word ‘fascinate’, meaning to enchant or bewitch using the power of the fascinus. It was believed in ancient Rome that a hostile look or evil eye would bring a curse or misfortune; envy was thought to bring ill fortune to the person envied.

The humorous fascinus was believed to work as a ‘medicus invidiae’ or ‘doctor of envy’ by making people laugh and thus preventing any jealous or malicious glances towards the person who held or wore the amulet. The phallus amulet is often winged or enlarged in appearance. Representations of ithe amulet’s effect on the evil eye’s potency can be seen in ancient Roman artworks. A first=century terracotta sculpture shows two phalluses with arms and legs working together to saw an eyeball in half.

The Tantõ

Awataguchi Yoshimitsu, Tantõ, Mid-late Kamakura Period ca. 1270, Private Collection

The tantõ is a common Japanese single or, occasionally double edged  dagger with a blade length between 15 and 30 cm (6-12 inches). The tantõ was designed primarily as a stabbing instrument, but the edge can be used to slash as well.

The tantõ first began to appear in the Heian period of Japan which extended from 794 to 1185. This period was named for the location of the Imperial Capital, which was moved from Nara to Heian-Kyõ. The blades in this period lacked any artistic quality and were purely weapons.

In the early Kamakura period which ran from 1192 to 1333, high-quality artful tantõs­ began to appear. This Kamakura period brought the emergence of shogun rule. Japanese warlods, shoguns, claimed power from the hereditary monarchy and their scholar-courtiers, giving the Samurai warriors and their lords ultimate control of the early Japanese Empire.

Awataguchi Yoshimitsu was born  around 1229, the son of Awataguchi Kuniyoshi who had founded the Awataguchi School of Kyoto, considered one of the brightest lights in the world of Japanese swords. Yoshimitsu is considered the greatest maker of the tantõ in history. His blades were the most expensive at that time; one thousand pieces of gold were known to have been given to acquire one of his works.

Tachi Gunto Sword

Art in a Blade: Fully Hand Forged Clay Tempered Razor Sharp Japanese Tachi Gunto Sword- Available from handmade sword.com- Price: $17500.

Steel: 1095 steel
Blade: clay tempered;
Edge: Sharp;
Hamon(Tempered line): Distinct real hamon;
Tsuka(Handle): Brass engraved with Samurai’s living & battle & with genuine cowhide accessories;
Saya: Brass plated with real gold engraved with Samurai’s living & battle & with genuine cowhide ornament;
Tang: Full tang engraved with black smith’s signature;
Tsuba: Brass engraved with waves;
Other Fittings: Brass;
Condition: Brand new & can be fully disassembled and assembled;
Blade Length(with habaki): 30″
Handle Length: 11.8″
Overall Length(with Saya): 44.1″
Blade Thickness: 0.3″
Weight (with Saya): 6 lb 2 oz
Weight (without Saya): 3 lb 8 oz

Douglas Tilden

Douglas Tilden, The Mechanics Monument, San Francisco

At the age of five, Douglas Tilden became incurably deaf from a bout of scarlet fever. He graduated from the Institute for the Deaf and Dumb and Blind in Berkeley in 1879 and became a teacher there for the next eight years. The artist’s interest in sculpture did not develop until his early twenties, but his immediate talent in creating graceful compositions soon won him an award to study in New York City and Paris. These thirteen months, including five months as a student of Paul-François Choppin, also a deaf-mute, comprise Tilden’s only formal training in sculpture.

Tilden subsequently spent seven years in Paris, visiting museums and galleries and admiring sculptures by Auguste Rodin. Tilden’s well-known sculpture “The Tired Boxer” was exhibited at the Paris Salon of 1890 and received an honorable mention, which was the highest prize ever to be awarded to an American sculptor at that time. Tilden is often called the “Father of San Francisco Sculpture” for the large number of commissioned public sculptures that you can still see today.

“The Mechanics Monument” was one of three major art works for the Market Street Beautification Project at the turn of the 20th century. Installation was started in 1899 with a dedication ceremony on May 15th of 1901. It was twice relocated, first in 1951 and then in 1973 to its present location on Market Street at the corner of Battery and Bush Streets. Cast of bronze, the full weight of the sculpture, excluding the base, is approximately ten tons.

 

Ljos Biró

Ljos Biró, “Pieta Torso”, Bronze and Stone

Born on October 9, 1959 in Csenger, Lajos Biró  is a Hungarian sculptor, painter and teacher. He first attended an industrial high school and later the Budapest Fine Arts College, with a three-year scholarship, graduating in 1988. After his studies, Biró married and lived in Mátészalka. Between 1989 and 1997, Biró taught at the art instate in Nyiregyháza. He has received several awards since 1986.

Sukhi Barber

Sukhi Barber, Sculptures of Meditating Man

Sukhi Barber was born in 1971, in Hertfordshire, England. From an early age she was drawn to the classical and ancient traditions of art and philosophy, which led her to undertake a traditional sculptural training at The City and Guilds of London Art School. There Barber gained a firm grasp of figurative clay modeling and life drawing, graduating in 1995 with the prize for sculpture, and a scholarship from Madame Tussauds.

After graduation Sukhi Barber traveled to India, captivated by the timeless quality of peace and balance that she found in the art of Asia. Settling in Kathmandu, Nepal, she spent the next twelve years studying Buddhist philosophy and producing sculptures based on the traditional techniques of stone carving and lost-wax bronze casting.

David Harber

Landscape Sculptures by David Harber

Since 1992, David Harber’s custom-built sundials, sculptures and water features have worked their magic on fine homes and gardens around the world. Designed and built in Oxfordshire in the shadow of a Bronze Age hill fort, each piece stands as an original work of art, created either as a one-off response to a unique creative brief or as a personalised edition of a classic David Harber design.

As the direct descendant of one of Elizabethan England’s best-known dialists, Harber is inspired by the elemental interaction of light, landscape and water, and uses contemporary three-dimensional design to celebrate unpredictability, illusion and the recurring patterns of passing time. Using materials such as brass, copper, bronze, stainless steel and stone, he creates every piece not only for the individual who commissions it, but also as a gift to succeeding generations.

 

Botero

Botero, “Cat”, Rambla del Raval, Barcelona, Spain

Fernando Botero’s “Cat” was purchased by Barcelona City Council in 1987. From then until 2003, the cat wandered the city’s streets in search of a permanent site. His first stop-off point was the Parc de la Ciutadella, near his fellow animals at Barcelona Zoo. Then he was taken to a site by the Olympic Stadium, and a few years later he was put in a little square behind Barcelona’s medieval shipyards.

Finally, in 2003, the decision was taken to move him to a permanent location at the end of the newly created Rambla del Raval. The sculpture has become an integral part of one of Barcelona’s most widely redeveloped areas and is a favourite meeting place.