Metal art, precisely because of the nature of the material used, is a relative newcomer in the world of art. It has its origins in Russia, where artists were utilizing metal pieces to form an unified front in what is known as the Constructivist Movement. It is amazing the manner that metal art has grown into nearly every area of everyday life. Even celebrities, like Kobe Bryant, spruce up their multi-million dollar homes with trendy metal furniture and metal wall decor. The same with a Prado Estates, Arizona beauty: wrought iron chandeliers and other metal furnishing side-by-side with gargoyle water spouts.
Modern sculpture has as its undisputed father in Auguste Rodin of The Thinker fame, perhaps one of the few sculptures in the world with instant recall. Despite the fact that the master, Rodin was able to do it in the infamous artwork The Thinker, bronze is likely the last medium that one would consider to convey human pathos.
Maybe it is man’s luck that not all artists of the period followed the direction of Rodin. One such artist was an American named Alexander Calder (1898-1976). After he appeared in the art scene in the 1930s, the art world definitively discarded the art form espoused by Rodin and embraced Calder’s with its emphasis on metal- the material and praxis of modern industry. The work of Calder, George Rickey, and, later, of Jean Tinguely, Julio Le Parc, Otto Piene, and John Scott gave the world an entirely new art form that’s not only a pleasure to behold, but a delight to experience – all because of the stark contrast. Even though metal is heavy, it seems to float in the hands of these artists! Despite it’s lifelessness, with the touch of these artists it comes to life immediately. Metal’s dull and black, but transforms into exciting bursts of color. Calder’s Flamingo, for instance, is a 16-meter, 50-ton vermilion leviathan which provides a pleasing contrast against the looming presence of staid buildings in the Federal Plaza in Chicago.
Metal art has been growing to mainstream status. From gigantic stables that decorate public sites to quaint abstract metal mobiles that flutter in the wind, from metal wall sculptures to metal wall decorations that you can find at an unique wall art store, from wine home decor to large metal wall hangings, indeed, for everything that’s metal wall art – the world owes a debt of gratitude to the following pioneers.
Alexander Calder (1898-1976) born in America. The foremost American proponent of the style.
George Rickey (1907-2002) – American artist, inspired by David Smith and Alexander Calder. He began creating kinetic sculptures in the 1950s, sculptures which weigh tons, but move in response to even slight wind.
Jean Tinguely (1925-1991) – Swiss. With some of his artwork designed to self-destruct, he was an artist with a message who satirized the world’s over-production of goods.
Julio Le Parc (1925- ) born in Argentine. One may describe Le Parc an artist whose work runs toward the supernatural.
Otto Piene (1928- ) born in Germany. There was a strong amount of light incorporated into Piene’s kinetic sculptures. His study of light, movement, and space is evident in his technically-different work.
John Scott (1940-2007) African-American metal artist. Known for his African-Caribbean-New Orleans inspired kinetic sculptures, had some of his priceless artwork stolen in the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
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