Sculpture aesthetic is an approach to art that considers sculpture as an artwork with certain properties and principles that are intended to be part of its character. These principles help to organize sensorially pleasing works of art, and they also provide a framework within which to analyze and discuss artistic ideas.
Definition
Definitions of art are a controversial topic in contemporary philosophy. Some criticize definitions as spuriously conferring ontological dignity and respectability on social phenomena that probably in fact call more properly for rigorous social criticism and change.
Several types of definitions exist: conventionalist definitions, classically-flavored definitions, and hybrid or disjunctive definitions.
Conventionalist definitions, which tend to be more modern in character, aim to capture the contingent cultural features of art – revolutionary modern art, the traditional close connection of art with the aesthetic, and so on – in social/historical terms.
Classically-flavored definitions, on the other hand, take traditional concepts like the aesthetic (or allied concepts like the formal or the expressive) as basic, and aim to account for the phenomena by making those concepts harder – by endorsing a concept of the aesthetic rich enough to include non-perceptual properties, for example, or by attempting an integration of those concepts.
Form
A sculpture is a three-dimensional object that reflects form, color and texture. It may be abstract, kinetic or based on unconventional materials.
Traditionally, sculptures were representational, static, stationery, forms with a solid opaque mass that could be viewed from all sides. They were usually carved out of stone or modeled out of bronze.
Today, sculptures can also be made from unconventional materials like light or holograms. Some artists even create open form sculptures that are transparent and reveal their structure.
Space
Space is a vital element in art and it can be used to create stunning effects. Artists can use a variety of methods to create space in their works including perspective, colour, and design.
Space is important because it can be used to help tell the story of a piece of work, as well as draw attention to specific parts of the artwork. Some artists use negative space to highlight the focal point of their piece, while others rely on colour and texture to make their points.
Materials
A sculptor uses three-dimensional forms to express their own personal visions. Their subject matter is often related to nature or to human life. They may also be created by the artist from scratch, using whatever materials they desire.
A sculpture can be made of any material a sculptor chooses, from plastic or found objects to metal or clay. More recent artists have mixed sculptural materials with lights, projections and other technology to create installations that go beyond the traditional viewing of a sculpture.
Throughout human history, all humans have developed a deep understanding and emotional response to the expressive character of three-dimensional forms. Sculptors have exploited this to create images that communicate a wide range of subtle and powerful feelings, from the delicate to the violent.
Function
Sculpture aesthetics studies the nature of human visual pleasure in three-dimensional forms. It seeks to understand why the aesthetic response to these shapes is so sensitive and powerful.
The aesthetic experience is a complex and highly individual process. It involves the senses, emotions, intellectual opinions, will, preferences, values, subconscious behavior, conscious decision, training, instinct, social institutions, or a combination of these and more.
It is this combination of understanding and responsiveness to form that appeals most strongly to humans. It allows us to cultivate and refine our sense of beauty, and to experience a deep connection between ourselves and the art we appreciate.