What Does Sculpture Mean
We explain what sculpture is and what this artistic expression consists of. Characteristics, techniques, function and uses in society.
What is Sculpture?
Sculpture (from Latin sculpere , sculpting) is a form of artistic expression consisting of carving, molding, sculpting or chiselling a material to create a shape with volume .
Sculpture is considered one of the Fine Arts , in addition to painting , music and 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 technology allowed the development of new materials, sculpture began to use resins and plastics that, 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 people , animals , natural and artificial objects, with absolute proportionality, or they can be abstract sculptures that challenge the perception of the 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 numerous techniques for working with sculpture , depending on the intentions and means of the artist. The techniques depend to a great extent on the material on which you work.
In the case of wood and stone, the technique involves carving with instruments such as chisels 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.