BRANCUSI
(Experential Lesson Guide)
Il y a des imbéciles qui définissent mon œuvre comme abstraite, pourtant ce qu'ils qualifient d'abstrait est ce qu'il y a de plus réaliste, ce qui est réel n'est pas l'apparence mais l'idée, l'essence des choses
There are idiots who define my work as abstract; yet what they call abstract is what is most realistic. What is real is not the appearance, but the idea, the essence of things.
- Brancusi
Brancusi, Bird in space (1941)
Developed in the 20th century, direct carving (taille directe in French) is a carving technique where the sculptor works with hammer and chisel that comes into direct contact with a block of stone or wood. Constantin Brancusi’s The Kiss (1907) is often cited as one of the earliest examples of direct carving. Though models were sometimes used, direct carving gave sculptors close and intimate contact with their materials.
ACTIVITY 1: Direct carving onto Styrofoam
Students were given 10 mins to contemplate on any emotion, and attempt to make just a single cut that would represent the chosen emotion.
The rationale behind this is to create more awareness in the student over the types of cuts that can be made, the impact of the action on the object and how it can affect the look of the medium thereafter. It also serves as a means of creating rudimentary understanding on what direct carving is all about.
Lesson
Students are then introduced to Brancusi and Rodin and are brought through the lesson of the art practice of Brancusi.
Downloadable
Power point slides from the lesson.
