ARTH 351 Studies in the History of Sculpture

• Mondays, 11:45 am-2:30 pm
• Instructor: Dr. Charles Gagnon 

By using the term sculpture, one ascribes to a thing certain qualities to bring it into the realm of art. But what are these qualities that either differentiate, or bring sculpture closer to everyday things or objects? The term sculpture will be examined to untangle terms such as artefact, monument, statue, commodity, assemblage, props, process, movement, and immobility. As well, various notions of tactility will be explored, as it is a term that has often been a matter of concern when analyzing sculptural work, be it Rodin’s touch, the Constructivists’ notion of faktura to the various soft materials used by Arte Povera artists.

The course will focus on contemporary sculpture, with a few forays into specific works from the past, such as the work of Auguste Rodin and Medieval religious relics. Attending to these older works will put into focus issues that occupy contemporary artists as well as art historians. The role materials and techniques play in the making, and reception of sculptures will be attended to, taking into consideration techniques such as molding, casting, the use of found and recycled materials, and materials such as threads, powders, wax, bronze and papier-mâché will be examined, as we look at the works of artists such as Henry Moore, Danh Vo, Liz Magor, Franz West, General Idea, Nicholas Galanin and Beverly Buchanan.