Thoughts on Reading

The most intriguing point that continuously reoccurred in my mind due to its reoccurrence in the readings was the concept of the history and growth of sculpture over time. The Vitamin 3D, New Perspectives suggests that, “We are far from the days when sculpture served the sole purpose of monument or memorial”. In the past, sculpture was primarily a form of art made 3 dimensionally using very classic skills, technique and material. Now, “everyone is welcome and anything goes”. I admire the idea and progress made within the contemporary sculpture/installation art world as it expands the space and meaning artists now can use, but this idea seems far more liberating than I believe it actually is. While installation art and sculpture bear no rules anymore, the creativity and possibilities are almost endless. My fear is of the length artists will go to create something evocative and new, and how far is too far? The use of human bodies has been done as well art with very outrageous meaning behind it, so at what point will material and meaning become far too shameful for viewers to handle. The answer is, “at the present time, any and all materials are fair game for the sculpture” (Matter). That “fair game” is what I believe could lead to artistic social turmoil.