Imagining Sculpture

Sculpture is a European concept, but in China, statues, stele, and other figural objects have been created for millennia but were not valued or collected. "Imagining Sculpture" is a series of short vignettes that explore the history of sculpture in China, Japan, England, Germany, France, Italy, and the United States from the fourteenth to the beginning of the twentieth century, using rare photographs, paintings, sketches, letters, and ephemera to offer a new visual narrative and a different way of seeing and knowing.

Format: Hardback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 26 January 2023
Publisher: Hirmer Verlag

Sculpture is a captivating term, an English word that effortlessly evokes a vivid image in our minds. While it may be commonly associated with European art, it's important to note that sculpture has a rich history that extends beyond its European roots. In China, for countless millennia, statues, stele, and other figural objects were crafted with meticulous skill, yet they were not necessarily valued or collected as Sculpture. In fact, there was no distinct concept of Sculpture in China during that time.

Imagining Sculpture takes us on a journey to explore the realm of Sculpture, a concept that was largely absent in China. This captivating series of short vignettes, blending historical and fictional elements, transports us to various parts of the world, including China, Japan, England, Germany, France, Italy, and the United States, spanning from the fourteenth to the early twentieth century. Through a visual, cinematic, and sumptuous lens, Imagining Sculpture presents a unique perspective on statues, figures, and effigies, offering a profound way of seeing and understanding.

The series is rich in visual content, featuring rare photographs, paintings, sketches, letters, and ephemera that bring the historical and artistic context to life. With minimal text, the argument is made primarily through the images, allowing them to speak for themselves and convey the essence of Sculpture. This approach offers a fresh and innovative visual narrative, challenging our conventional understanding of art and expanding our horizons of knowledge.

Imagining Sculpture invites us to perceive Sculpture in a radically different light, transcending the boundaries of traditional art forms. It encourages us to explore the nuanced details, the expressive qualities, and the cultural significance of these sculptural objects, shedding light on the diverse artistic traditions and the rich tapestry of human creativity throughout history. By delving into the world of imagination and visual storytelling, this series offers a transformative experience that invites us to see the world through a new lens, one that is filled with beauty, wonder, and endless possibilities.

Weight: 1324g
Dimension: 182 x 240 x 41 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783777437583