Sculpture and a manifesto of sorts

For the past 20 years, I've created architectural sculpture for every possible kind of building, from new casinos and shopping malls in Las Vegas to historic restorations in Portland, Seattle, and elsewhere.

What I loved about working for that company was how each person contributed their best skills. I didn't have to figure out the engineering, or make the molds, or fabricate the work, sell it, or keep the books. I created art that fit each building's specifications, as beautifully as I could in the time and budget allowed.

The doors closed on that company this year. No more work.

Damn.

Several realizations have come out of this mess.


I LOVE creating architectural sculpture. These sculptures, most of them were plants, are symbols of living nature. They are patterns of wholeness that have been with us for thousands years. Think Roman, no think Greek. Hell,  think Egyptian art. It is art about nature. Art that says we are directly connected to nature. I believe there is still a need for that kind of art.   

In a sterile world of steel and glass buildings and increasingly virtual experiences, I want this tradition, this art and craft of making buildings that reflect nature back to us, to survive. I want to see and make art that bears the direct handmarks of it's making.  I want to see and make art that might not be flawlessly symmetric (because machines are now doing that) but is much more human, because it's made by the living - and so stands a chance of being a living work of art.

"in his garden..." hand carved concrete

If that means making it myself and calling it fine art, or art for the garden,  nature art or even architectural sculpture with no buildings, so be it.  


I've begun.