Sunday, December 22, 2013

When art talks - the language of texture

A Sterling Silver necklace by AKVjewelry 
A soft bathrobe, a rough stone, a vintage filigree brooch, a Van Gogh painting - 
what do they have in common?

Texture. 

It sets the mood, invokes memories and feelings - in a subtle, almost unconscious way.





Texture, as a language, a way of communicating – picked my interest when I started to experiment with molten metal and the wonderful texture it creates.
Since then, I started noticing the crucial role texture plays in communicating messages in the world of art.

Irises, by Van Gogh
Take for example my beloved Van Gogh.

A few weeks ago, at the Los Angeles Getty Center, I was able to stand as close as it gets without actually touching - to some of his wonderful paintings.

Look at texture of this painting and the energy it projects – it speaks volumes of the stormy feelings inside the painter.

It almost feels like Van Gogh was compelled to paint it - it was his way to manage internal storms.

Is it a wonder he painted so much - sometimes a painting a day?

Another corner of this wonderful painting. Just look at the earth.
It lives and breathes
Can you imagine how different his paintings would be in watercolors?

Keep the colors, even use the same brushstrokes – just take away the texture.

In Van Gogh's case, I think, texture acts in a similar way to body language. It reveals so much about his inner world.






The other time I was amazed by how expressive texture can be, was when I visited the Accademia museum in Florence Italy.

http://ahuskofmeaning.com/2011/08/michelangelo-at-the-accademia-part-2-the-unfinished-slaves/
The corridor in the Accademia museum 

Tenths of people, standing in line to get into the museum and see one of the most famous sculptures in the world -  David by Michelangelo. 

David stands at the end of a small gallery – demanding your attention from the minute you walk in.

But despite its beauty, what caught my attention were 4 unfinished sculptures – the slaves.

'The awakening'
Commissioned by Pope Julius as part of a majestic tomb he was planning for himself - plans which ironically - were changed by his ...death.


'Atlas'

Michelangelo never finished the slave sculptures.

You can see the powerful body, the taught muscles, the huge calf or shoulder - but the body is trapped in the stone.

Rough, heavy, immovable stone. 

You can FEEL the slaves are trying to break away, but are imprisoned in stone, held by everlasting marble chains.


While I am sure these sculptures would have been magnificent if finished – I think the sense of being trapped into a situation you cannot escape from – could never be as powerfully conveyed as it is today by these unfinished masterpieces.


To me, the use of texture in art and jewelry making in particular - unveiled a new and fascinating language.
The first time I consciously used texture in my jewelry making, was in my branches collection, where I leveraged the reticulation technique to create abstract winter pictures of tree branches and snow.
A necklace from my 'Winter Branches' collection
https://www.etsy.com/il-en/listing/150817225/square-silver-pendant-necklace?ref=listing-shop-header-3
Lately, started to play with different ways of using texture as means to convey a natural, worn, stand the test of time kind of feeling.

Learning the alphabet of textures, and starting to spell my own words.

Form kept simple, colors provided by purple plant and rain.
Texture takes center stage
As always, glad to hear your comments and thoughts –
.....wishing you a great end to 2013, and a wonderful 2014 :)

Amy


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