The first detail I researched was what material should the sculpture be made of. There are historical examples of statues that use different materials and why. I was interested in the use of gold and bronze statues as to me they always symbolise something heroic and that is what I wanted my statue to represent. I began to research the basics into bronze statues and what they represent.
Bronze is used often within religion to depict someone with:
-Strength
-Stability
-Support
-Heroic characteristics
While gold is used to depict someone of:
-Power
-Love
-Wisdom
-Royalty and Wealth
I ended up deciding that from these characteristics it a bronze statue would much better fit the design and message I am trying to produce. My overall basic concept was to produce a scene for a modern hero leaving behind a legacy of hope to inspire the next generation. I came up with another simple test sketch of a statue of a kneeling hero as a child is standing before it in awe.
Play around with the scale of the statue as this could be too surreal and fantasy.
After considering the material that the statue will be made from I began exploring possible building materials that the surrounding architecture would be made from. I made a small mindmap to explore the possibilities and then further research them later.
Marble and its historical importance:
-Marble is used extensively from fountains to countertops.
-Originated from the Ancient Greeks. It was selected as it had a pure colour as well as a soft composition and resistance to shatter.
-Marble produces a soft glow.
Stone and its historical importance:
-Stone has similar uses to marble when used on the interior.
-Natural stone is used within high traffic areas. External examples of when it is used include columns and chimneys.
Glass and its historical importance:
-If a large amount of glass is used then a modern aesthetic is produced and creates and open ambience. Large architectural builds that include larges amount of glass were made within recent history as it is only a modern used technique.
Stone bricks and its historical importance:
-Architecture built during the Victorian Era was made out of stone bricks for the majority. London has some very well known and famous architecture, such as the Natural Museum and Tower Bridge. Stone bricks is commonly used within projects of grand scale creating a dominating and powerful display of history.
-If I used marble then I believe it would produce the meaning of praise, worship, or inspiration as well as a deeper meaning of power and reference to gods.
-Stone bricks used within large architecture imply power and a strong sense of history and legacy.
Possible references:
-Anthem (Game) Hub design:
-Natural History Museum London:
-Ancient Greek Architecture and sculptures.
Bronze statues within history:
During the Shang Dynasty, a large quantity of Chinese ritual bronze statues were produced.
The Romans used bronze to create statues of themselves and their ancestors. Other then that it would be common for them to create statues of Gods and Goddesses, philosophers and members of the military.
-Marcus Aurelius Equestrian Statue.
-The Orator, 1st Century B.C.E.
-Augustus from Prima Porta, 1st Century C.E.
Marcus Aurelius Equestrian Statue:
The statue depicts the Emperor who reigned from 161 to 180 C.E. Equestrian statues were used as a method to honour military and civic achievements. This statue is one of the only ones left intact.
The Orator, 1st Century B.C.E
The Orator is an Etruscan bronze sculpture that depicted a senator by the name of Aulus Metellus within the Roman republic. The life size sculpture of the Etruscan senator is 1.8m tall.
Augustus from Prima Porta, 1st Century C.E:
After ending a century long civil war, Augustus became the first Emperor of Rome, He was an enthusiastic supporter of public art and commissioned 70 statues to be made of himself. He is referred as the founder of Rome. The statue depicts his military might. To make it clear that he had the divine right to rule Rome, he had Cupid, the son off the Goddess Venus is positioned by his right ankle. He is presented as the ideal figure with an athletic form which comes closer to a Greek God then his actual figure.
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