Colossal Head

[porphyry]

Obviously modern, but I have no idea by whom.

Inspired, I guess, by the monumental statues of the Roman Emperors. I approve of purposefully making it a ruin, but what is that strange wrapping around the face meant to signify?

Comments

[lordtangent.livejournal.com]

It kind of reminds me of a painting I once saw, either by Magritte or in the style of Magritte, of a woman's head unwinding over an sea vista, I think. So the head was hollow, you see, and the skin was spiraled around in a helix, or ... I can see it in my head but I can't think of the name and I can't find it on the internet. I'm sure I've seen it on the cover of a book or something like that. Grr.

[malkhos.livejournal.com]

I beleive the painting you're reffering to is by Dali (the head comes from Vemeer if I recall correctly), but a quick search didn't reveal it to me either--I really need tobut the Descharnes.

[benicek.livejournal.com]

It is by Polish artist Igor Mitoraj. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igor_Mitoraj

[malkhos.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the identification. I can't disapprove of the Wasteland-like form of his work. But what I would like to see is someone bold enough to make an intact divine or imperial protrait, without irony or any other screen between artist and work.

[benicek.livejournal.com]

Do you mean a portrait of an ancient god or emperor? I suppose there must be many modern examples, all over the middle east and former Soviet Union, of irony-free, imperial/divine portrait statues of Lenin, Stalin, Saddam, Assad and so on.

[malkhos.livejournal.com]

Oh, I think those had a high sense of irony.

[stefanie-bean.livejournal.com]

Wiki says the title of this piece is Eros Bendato (Eros Bound.)

[malkhos.livejournal.com]

Then its his blindfold slipping down as tradition looses its idenity in modernity.

[stefanie-bean.livejournal.com]

In modern life, people think they're free because they don't have visible bonds - but sometimes the invisible ones are even stronger.

[malkhos.livejournal.com]

Inspired by the Constantine remnants in Rome?

[lordtangent.livejournal.com]

Here's a nice modern semi-divine statue:



It's 65 feet tall!

But yeah, I know what you mean. I remember reading reading in this dreadful art history textbook from high school ("The March of Progress from stupid old Michelangelo to the fabulous Judy Chicago!") that classical, representational sculpture is an example of an art form which is simply impossible in the modern era. All my childhood dreams of being the next Jean-Antoine Houdon were crushed then and there!

[malkhos.livejournal.com]

yes, you have it just right.