Architecture/classical art

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Expert: - 4/3/2010


Question

George Higgins Memoria
I am a classical sculptor, having studied under some of the last really good classical sculptors from the early 20th century. I have taught sculpture in NY at ICA and spoke a fair amount to those folks along with Mr. Rice years ago. It seems that things are starting to happen more and more but the union of architecture and sculpture seems lagging to say the least. As architecture is the life blood of sculpture, I obviously find this frustrating. I wonder what your thoughts on the matter are. Thank you in advance for your insight into this as I am really very interested. As I split my time between Florida and teaching in New York City my interests are somewhat wide geographically speaking

Answer
Thank you for the opportunity to touch upon this matter.
This has been a problem for too many years now.
While there is a resurgence of period style classicism, it is not sophisticated as it was in the 20's and 30's.... yet.
Classicism and realism in sculpture and art have been eclipsed by modernism.
The modernists are supported by wide spread media which is pervasive and exclusionary.
Classical architecture, sculpture, and planning are constantly reviled as you probably know.
My view is that the 'taste' in art and architecture has been led by modernists and their sycophants far too long.
In fact I believe that like politics art has a philosophical agenda and is served and supported by those who deeply believe in one approach over another.
Consequently there is an elemental struggle of one clear and defined approach over another.
The modernist media is liberal in my view.  The classical is conservative.
I would not have thought this going through the university program but the brainwashing was so pervasive it took several years to figure out.
It is recorded history that Bauhaus ideology invaded the schools of architecture in this country a little after the turn of the century.  The universities threw out the classical tradition and embraced completely the approach of the "International" style.
This resulted in a sort of 'krystalnicht' as all the books of classical art and architecture went into deep archives to clear the shelves for right thinking books on the new ideology.  Students were made to think that the era of classical art and architecture was completely over and a new era began which was superior to the old.
This 'blue state' mentality has been riding roughshod over the 'red state' ideals of classical art and architecture for too many years.
I have a great ambivalence about this as I was 'trained' in the Bauhaus but now the inner man keeps going back to traditional design.
But the modernists and their offspring - evolutionist approaches - actually have merit and technical wizardry that is quite daring and sensational.
The attendant sculpture unfortunately tends to abstract forms but once in a while you might find a representational figure inserted as a 'foil'.
Bottom line: unless the artists themselves form a 'tea party' of their own to overthrow the current system classical art and architecture will continue to be painted as inferior to modernist approaches.
I feel your pain.
There are fewer of us unfortunately as well.
    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    CommentThank you for the concise and frank analysis of the current situation in sculpture. It pretty much concurs with my own though I have known some very classically trained and inclined artists who were not of the red state bent. Overall though, I would agree with that assessment. I remember Walker Hancock, my old teacher who did so much beautiful monumental work around the country saying that he had asked the Architect of the Capitol the same question, essentially asking will this ever end and why? The man, whose name escapes me said yes. When asked what would end the modernist abstract school he simply said "boredom". I have found as a student and now later in teaching and practicing my art that the "liberal" and open minded label that the abstract artists take on often disguises fascistic tendencies in shaming students and demanding compliance to their ideas. All Best, Stephen Perkins


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I am interested in the artistic and theoretical aspects of architecture and urban design/planning. I can discuss the progression of classical to modern architecture, the general stylistic and technical development, the formation of towns and cities, the background and training of architects. Ask any question relating to the profession, working with an architect, background information, etc.

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