Stone Talk
by Athar Jaber | 17 December 2023
Last Friday was Isamu Noguchi’s birthday, born on 17 November 1904, and I’ve decided to celebrate and honour the iconic sculptor with an edition dedicated entirely to him.
Can Robots Replace Michelangelo?
An industrial area outside Carrara, Italy, is home to a group of up-and-coming marble sculptors – powerful, automated robots. This article describes the upcoming industry and how it affects the thousands-year-old tradition of stone carving.
Meanwhile, photographer Caleb Stein is currently documenting their labor through a series of intimate ‘portraits’.
Monks on CAD/CAM
Just because you’re a monk doesn’t mean you can’t use CAD.
Lacking the necessary funds to outsource the building of a Gothic Monastery, Carmelite monks of Wyoming decided to tackle that job themselves. Read about their project here.
Best Geology Overview
Unlike many modern science documentaries filled with fancy graphics and dramatic re-enactments, Doug’s Geology Journal keeps it simple. Doug, an everyday geologist, avoids fancy presentations, opting instead to hand-draw his graphics and film his own journeys. He talks about how the land formed and connects it to culture. His way of giving just enough detail in the right places makes it easy to understand the big picture.
Political ties
King Charles III appeared at COP28 wearing a matching tie and pocket square emblazoned with the Greek flag. This article discusses how the King’s sartorial choice sent a message – whether intentionally or not – regarding the decades-long dispute on the Elgin Marbles.A masterclass in covert communication, showing how a seemingly innocent attire can circumvent algorithmic screenings, sending messages perhaps stronger than any statements.
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
Join the talk
On Sundays, at irregular intervals, I send out Stone Talk, a newsletter where you’ll find tips and recommendations on things I believe are worth watching, listening, reading, visiting or exploring. All related to (stone) sculpture and stone carving.
The newsletter is also a great way to stay updated with my artistic activities such as exhibitions, new works, limited editions, publications, as well as my educational activities such as courses, workshops, lectures, tutorials and much more.
If you wish to subscribe to Stone Talk, please fill in the form.
