- What is Sculpture?
- Characteristics of the sculpture
- Sculpture techniques
- Function and uses of sculpture
We explain what sculpture is and what this artistic expression consists of. Characteristics, techniques, function and uses in society.
The Statue of Liberty is the work of the French sculptor Frédéric Bartholdi.What is Sculpture?
The sculpture (from the Latin sculpere, sculpt) is a form of artistic expression consisting of carving, molding, sculpting or chiselling a material to create a shape with volume.
The sculpture is considered one of the Fine arts, Besides the painting, the music and the architecture. The name of sculpture is also given to the work that arises as a result of the artistic process.
See also: Artwork
Characteristics of the sculpture
The work materials of the sculpture can be of the most varied, from clay, stone and wood, to marble, wax, plaster and different types of metals (bronze, iron, copper, silver Gold). As the technology allowed the development of new materials, the sculpture began to use resins and plastics which, by having new properties of resistance and flexibility, allowed the development of new artistic styles in sculpture.
The sculpture has a great component of imitation, and also of original creation, since the representation can range from concrete figures such as persons, animals, natural and artificial objects, with absolute proportionality, or they can be abstract sculptures that challenge the perception of space.
The management of space is very important in sculpture, which implies that the final composition that the artist pursues must take into account spatial aspects such as height, width, depth, volume, shape, arrangement of lines, the texture, the consistency of the materials, the optics of the environment where the sculpture will be, and in some cases, the movement of the sculpture.
Sculpture techniques
There are numeroustechniques of sculpture work, according to the intentions and means of the artist. The techniques are highly dependent on the material you are working on.
In the case of wood and stone, the technique involves carving with instruments such as the chisel and sandpaper, while in the case of softer materials such as clay and plasticine, manual modeling is used.
When the material is a metal, the technique involves casting and the use of molds. Drilling, painting and conservation techniques are also used, as well as the articulation of different pieces to create movement in the work.
The molds are commonly used for the reproduction of sculptures. They are made with plaster, resin or rubber, accurately reproducing the finished work.
Function and uses of sculpture
Socially, sculpture can have very diverse uses and functions. Originally the sculptures had a religious function, for magical rituals, funeral rites, worship practices, etc.
Later, it also acquired political functions, to manifest the power of the monarchies, preserve the memory of the peoples, defend political projects. Another use of sculpture, which over time became its most common function, is the aesthetic one, which seeks to represent the beauty or artistic ideals of a time, or to create decorative objects for interiors or exteriors.