Internationales
Obernkirchener Bildhauer-Symposion e. V.

Artists statement about this symposium project:

The challenge in designing a sculpture for the theme - the Gothic of the new millenium - seems to be centered on connecting the medieval world of all encompassing spiritualism with the world as we perceive and anticipate it at the threshold of our new millenium. On terms of art, the ultimate expressions of the medieval psyche are the great gothic cathedrals of the late Middle Ages; and of all the various features of these complex art forms, the ribbed vault, is the one I chose to concentrate on in the design of this sculpture.

The two female figures, draped in loosely defined robing, act as the supporting piers of a cathedral arcade as their arched backs and arms suggest the ribbing of the vaulted ceiling of the aisle. This architectural posing of the figures is further defined by the distortion of the fabric which drapes the two bodies, as the hands of each figure grips and stretches the robing of the other.

The design is dominated by human figures in order to create separation from the mysticism of the Middle Ages and to emphasize the expanding role humanity must necessarily play in the new millenium. The symbolism of the human figures acting as the piers which support a complicated and immense structure I hope reminds us of our expanding responsibilities in terms of the global environment.

This design admittedly presents some challenges to the stone sculptor with its delicate arching elements. As part of this challenge a further connection to gothic architecture could be made by carving the sculpture in sections and, using the same techniques used by the builders of the cathedrals, support these stone "blocks" with a removable framework until they can be fitted and cemented together like the cut stones of a ribbed cathedral vault.

I look forward to working with you on this interesting project.

Mike Re

Working together

• the 1st layout
• Erste gemeinsame Skizze

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