Sculpting

1. “Make or represent a form by carving, casting, or other shaping techniques.” Sculpting Nick, Casey, Sean, Ryan, and Gunnar

2. History • First civilization to start to create sculptures were the Egyptians. (Sphinx) • A group of islands called the Cyclades, located in the northern Mediterranean Sea, had the first people to start creating marble sculptures in 3000 B.C. • Greeks started to make sculptures sometime between the 5th and 4th century B.C. The sculptures depicted their heroes. • Indian Sculptures were started in the 3rd century B.C that are connected to their religions. Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. • African Sculptures started around 400 to 600 AD. Some early African Sculptures included masks and clay figures. • The Renaissance, between the 14th and 16th centuries, showed more free-standing human figure. • Some of the modeling sculpting his based off of older styles, themes and cultures. New sculptures types that were introduced that are considered modern are ice sculptures(made of ice), wall art sculptures, sound sculptures(make sounds) and kinetic sculptures(sculptures that move.

3. Cultural Differences • Some of the cultures had different themes for the sculptures they made, but some had similar themes when creating them. They could also be made of different materials. • Greeks made their sculptures about heroes or heroic events in their culture. Mostly made of marble and bronze. • African sculptures are based upon their religion. Sculptures made with wood, ivory, bone, stone, metal or clay. • Native American sculptures shows people engaged in hunting or ceremonial activities. They also make wood carvings called totem poles. Some sculptures are made with ivory, caribou antlers, wood, bones or other materials found in nature.

4. Analysis • Greek heroes mostly include their gods and leaders and heroic events would be significant battles. • African sculptures are based on religion so they would make sculptures of their gods and religious figures. They also make masks based off religion or of certain animals. • Native American sculptures could be people hunting a certain animal or a religious ceremony. Totem poles could represent familiar legends, tribe symbol or crest, or a notable event in their history.

5. Major Artists and Works • Savannah Bird Girl Statue Sculpted in 1936 by Sylvia Shaw Johnson • HermesThe only surviving work of the ancient Greek sculptor Praxiteles, this work of art set the standard for the sculpting of facial features and hair. • The Discus ThrowerAnother ancient and popular Greek Statue, it was sculpted by Myron of Eleutherae . • Lady Justice StatueSeen in almost every courthouse and legal office in the country, it’s the symbol for the impartiality and power of our laws. Created by William Eicholtz • The KissSculpted by Auguste Rodin. This sculpture is one of the most seductive pieces of art to become very popular.

6. Artist and Works (cont.) • The PietaSculpted by Michelangelo, depicts the body of Jesus on the lap of his mother Mary after the Crucifixion. • The Thinker StatueAnother work of art from Auguste Rodin. This gained him the reputation of one of the greatest sculptors. • The Venus de MiloUnknown Artist, but this sculpture dates from the second century BC and is one of the most famous statues in the world. • The Statue of DavidOne of Michelangelo’s most famous works of art, represents David (and Goliath) from the bible. sculpted it from a piece of marble that was actually too thin

7. Activity • Create something with a theme (Religion, Hero, special event or person?) • Base it off one of the cultures? • Try to make a sculpture like one of the major artists? • Do whatever you want. Enjoy yourself. Take it home and make your parents proud.