Stone Talk
by Athar Jaber | 6 October 2024
Happy Birthday Adolf von Hildebrand
Today marks the birthday of Adolf von Hildebrand, one of the most influential sculptors of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Known for his emphasis on clarity, form, and the harmonious integration of sculpture into its surroundings, Hildebrand’s works stood out for their restrained elegance. My favorite work of his is Young Man Standing, which exemplifies many of the theories he put forward in his book The Problem of Form in Painting and Sculpture. In this influential text, Hildebrand challenged conventional ideas about form and space in art, advocating for simplicity and clarity in sculpture. You can download the book for free here.
Alex Seton
I came across an article about Alex Seton, an Australian sculptor known for carving everyday objects in marble. In my view, the article does an excellent job capturing the essence of the artist by exploring both his personal life and the balance between humor and more reflective themes in his work. The insights into his thought process reshaped my understanding of his practice, giving me a deeper appreciation for the complexity and intent behind his sculptures.
I had to remind myself of what I always say to others: “If you don’t appreciate an artist’s work, it’s often due to your own lack of understanding – take the time to learn more about it, and chances are, you’ll end up seeing it differently”.
P.S.: The article is behind a paywall, but I’m sure an inventive mind can figure something out 😉
AI aided archeology hunt
As AI dominates daily news, opinions remain divided. But I’m particularly excited about how it’s helping us uncover hidden archaeological treasures that aren’t visible to the naked eye beneath vast landscapes. By combining AI with satellite-based synthetic-aperture radar (SAR), this technology is revealing ancient sites buried underground for centuries. It’s already done wonders in the Arabian Peninsula and near Nazca, Peru. Who knows, we might even discover long-lost sculptures beneath the earth!
How to leave your mark on stone
While technically not similar to the much larger Nazca lines, petroglyphs share some aesthetic qualities with them. I’ve always been fascinated by petroglyphs, and my upcoming work is partly inspired by them. This article offers a helpful explanation of how these ancient carvings are made, making it a great resource for anyone interested in their history and craftsmanship. You can read more about it here.
Q&A
Do you have specific question around sculpture and stone carving? Submit your question here below and I’ll do my best to answer it in one of the next Stone Talk Newsletters.
I hope you enjoyed these points and that you learned something new.
Until next week,
Athar
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