HofA Unit One: Sculpture

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Materials, Techniques and Processes

  • What materials have been used to make the work?
  • Is it one or a combination of materials?
  • Has the work been modelled, carved or assembled?
  • How have the inherent characteristics of the materials been used by the sculptor and how have they determined its form?
  • How has the choice of materials influenced the scale of work?
  • How has the choice of materials affected meaning?
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Volume/Mass/Form

  • Is the work free-standing, attached to another surface (like architectural pieces), or in relief? Is it high/low mid relief?
  • Is the form soild/massive weighty?
  • Are there major and minor forms?
  • Do the forms seem to defy gravity? How are they enabled to do this?
  • Is light and shade created by the volume/mass/form iself or by the treatment of the surface?
  • What is the relationship between the space/void to the mass/form?
  • Is the sculpture self-contained (strong outer, containing shell) or does it invade our space?
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Composition (Sculptural focus)

  • Is there one major viewpoint? Is it because of the format used or simply the best narrative angle?
  • Is it naturalistic or staged? Why is it this way?
  • Highly structured/chaotic? What elements make it so?
  • If there are multiple forms, how do they inter-relate? Does this enhance narrative/direct our gaze?
  • Are there emphatic ( expressing something forcibly and clearly) gestures?
  • Is it simple (one figure,lack of scenery, lack of detail) or complex (multi-figural, lots of background elements, lots of detail)?
  • Does the figure stray far from its central axis? What effect does this have? E.g. if close to central axis  itcan indicate closure, privacy, intimacy, balance, relaxation, neutral
  • Top heavy/bottom heavy/balanced? Is there a purpose to this?
  • How do vertical/horizontal elements interplay with each other?
  • Is it based around a particular shape (e.g. circle, square)?
  • Are there strong diagonals (these may add a sense of unease and/or dynasism)
  • Is there a sense of movement/dynamism/rhythm?
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Space

  • Is the work free-standing, attached to another surface (e.g. architecture), or in relief? How does this affect the way we view it?
  • How does the sculpture relate to the space around it? Is the environment urban/rural, enclosed/open, interior/exterior, does it clash with its surroundings? Why is it placed here?
  • Do mass and void inter-relate? 
  • Can we walk around or through the work, how does this help immerse the viewer?
  • Is it static/moving in space (kinetic)?
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Scale

  • Is it life-size, monumetal, minature? How does the scale affect meaning?
  • Does its kearge scale elevate status/power? Does the small scale heighten its vulnerabilty?
  • Is it elevated on a plinth or in a niche? Is there a small base which supports a large mass?
  • Is its scale understoood within the context of its location?
  • Is its scale related to its indoor or outdoor display?
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Colour (Sculptural focus)

  • Is the original material coloured (e.g. marble, onyx, granite, mahogany)? Was the material chosen because of its colour?
  • Has it been gilded/coloured/stained/painted? How has this altered the original appearance?
  • Is it single-coloured or polychromatic? What does this do to the sculpture?
  • Is colour used naturalistically, symbolically, decoratively etc.? What does it mean?
  • (may the subject contradict such themes?Is it loud: vivid, vibrant (high tonal key), clashing. dominating colour, busy, lively, joyful, intimidating, confrontational
  • Is it soft: Pastel, muted, earthy, quiet, peaceful, relaxing, easy on the eye
  • Warm/cool colours? 
  • Pastel tones: childlike, feminine, girly, innocent
  • Dark colours: sombre, brooding, depressive, masculine, creepy, macbre, disturbed 
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Surface/pattern/ornament

  • Is there a dominant pattern of repeated forms and shapes? Is it fundamental to the work's meaning?
  • Has pattern been created through the form or by surface treatment?
  • Is pattern used decoratively or to capture light?
  • Is its purpose decorative, ornamental or symbolic?
  • What is the treatment of the surface texture? Is it rough or highly polished? Is it in its natural, unworked state or significantly altered? Does the treatment of the surface affect the meaning or the work? Has the surface patina been changed?
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Line/shape

  • Is there a clear outline shape/silhouette?
  • Is line and shape more important than form and mass?
  • Are shapes recognisable (e.g. as human or suggestive of a figure?)
  • Are the shapes flat or abstract?
  • Are the shapes fixed or do they change (kinetic- i.e. moving parts)
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Figure/nudity

  • Is the figure naked? Is the figure male/female/gender ambigious? Is the figure naturalistic? Idealised? Distorted? Expressive?
  • What are the proportions of the figures, of head to body and limbs to body?
  • Is the pose static or animated (contrapposto)?
  • What gestures are used? Natural/dramatic
  • What are the facial expressions? Are they connecting witb the viewer or is their gaze averted, blank?
  • If part of a multi-figured composition, what's the relationship between the figures?
  • Is there any drapery? Purpose? Does it cover modesty? Does it breathe life, like the wearer? What is the relationship between body and drapery? Does it reveal or conceal?
  • Is the clothing contemporary to the period? What does it tell us about the figures (e.g. occupation/wealth/status)?
  • Do they enhance masculinity or femininty?
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