1、 The Development of Modern Sculpture Materials
There are many materials available for sculpture, and the key to the development and progress of sculpture is how to use the various differences of sculpture materials. With the development of the times, sculpture materials have also undergone changes and evolution. Traditional sculpture materials include stone, metal, ceramics, wood, etc. And the materials of modern sculpture are becoming increasingly divergent and diverse. Different materials express different linguistic connotations, such as wood and stone, which have different textures; Ceramics and metals have different luster; Even White Marble and granite, stainless steel and bronze have different properties. Therefore, the physical properties of each material constrain its aesthetic properties. In the process of artistic creation, the form, proportion, color, and other characteristics of different materials have various influences on the expression of their themes, processing of shapes, production procedures, and processing methods, resulting in different artistic styles and aesthetic differences. The correct selection and application of materials, to some extent, is one of the important factors in the formation of the charm of sculpture art. This article combines the different applications of stainless steel sculpture and fiberglass sculpture to analyze and explain which one is better, stainless steel or fiberglass? What’s the difference?
2、 The modernity of stainless steel sculptures
The consistent and orderly surface of steel, as well as its inherent gray tone, gives it a very modern feel. The development of processing technology has endowed steel with rich surface processing and color treatment effects. For example, stainless steel, which is currently popular, has a tough and strong texture, strong plasticity, and can be given a variety of colors on the surface. It is also conducive to long-term outdoor placement, such as stainless steel sculpture – Art Deer. Therefore, many indoor and outdoor landscape sculptures, large urban sculptures, architectural decoration works, etc. use stainless steel as a material. The use of stainless steel polishing technique can also make outdoor works look dynamic and fully showcase the sense of modernity. Stainless steel is often used together with other materials to create a contrast of the times and add cultural and artistic elements to the work, which utilizes the modern beauty of steel.
The strong glossiness of stainless steel is the most prominent feature. Due to its uniqueness, it immediately enriched the visual effects of sculpture, thus attracting strong interest from sculptors. The “Fake Mountain Stones” series envisioned by Chinese artists, all of which are made of stainless steel and placed in various locations, including natural grasslands, rivers, ponds, squares, and so on. Here, we are describing a piece of artwork placed in water in the “Fake Mountain Stones” series. The rockery stone is suspended on the water surface, and due to the strong metallic feel of stainless steel, it has a dazzling luster. Under sunlight, it appears even more silver bright and exceptionally shiny. In addition, stainless steel has the characteristic of reflection, which makes this light less rigid. Not every surface is equally bright. The unevenness of the mountain stone, the waves on the water surface, and the pebbles laid on the bottom all reflect onto the mountain stone, making it exceptionally rich and diverse, vivid and dazzling. Reflected in the water, it is faintly visible and unpredictable. Stainless steel sculpture – dinosaur egg adds an extra layer of brilliance to the rocks, giving them a unique language and making them shine in our lives.
3、 The versatile beauty of fiberglass sculptures
Fiberglass is a material mainly made of resin. The difference is that synthetic fibers synthesized from artificial substances are added to the resin, which compensates for the disadvantage of the plastic itself becoming soft when exposed to heat. Fiberglass has a lighter weight but a tougher texture compared to plastic, with a certain degree of corrosion resistance. It can also be used to create sculptures with larger spatial spans and dynamic amplitudes, just like metal. Due to its much lighter weight compared to metal materials, its advantages are obvious. It is more suitable for moving, transporting, and installing, and can also be installed on load-bearing carriers. Expanded the usage range of this material. Resin is colorless and transparent, and various pigments can be added to the resin to obtain a variety of colored fiberglass sculptures. Resin sculptures are not only processed quickly and conveniently, but also have a relatively cheaper cost compared to other materials. They have become a popular and widely used material in the field of sculpture in recent years.
The biggest advantage of FRP material is that it has strong adaptability and is good at imitating materials. It can simulate the surface characteristic texture of various materials, such as: after surface treatment such as spraying, coating, brushing, plating to achieve the effect of metal materials, or it can be mixed with stone powder and fine sand, which is similar to the effect of stone materials such as White Marble and granite. Has a unique sculptural status.
Artist Chen Wenling’s work “Brave Struggle” juxtaposes animals and humans, showcasing the political and social relationships between the elite ruling class and ordinary people, rights and vulnerable individuals, and the poor and the rich. The massive sculptural installation reveals the madness, violence, desires, and vanity of people in contemporary society. In this massive sculptural installation, pigs and suspended individuals symbolize victims and rights. At the same time, it is also a clown performance or black comedy, reflecting the absurd or irrational side of our society. The dramatic characters and animals embody the interweaving of comedy and tragedy in the era. The entire piece is made of fiberglass, and such a huge person and pig are suspended. Only the weight of fiberglass can ensure that they are not easily dropped. Moreover, fiberglass is easy to color and can be sprayed with the desired color. The golden yellow color of the pig and person and the bright red color of the car below form a strong contrast and are exceptionally eye-catching, making it easy for people to remember. The colored fiberglass sculpture makes the theme more vivid.
Brave Struggle “fiberglass sculpture, colored fiberglass sculpture
4、 The Development Prospects of Sculpture Materials
In short, the development of sculpture art cannot be separated from the development of materials, because it is the material carrier of sculpture art, and different materials can convey different sculpture languages. Artworks created by different materials can give people different artistic aesthetic feelings.
The development of modern sculpture materials has freed itself from the constraints of traditional sculpture materials and opened up a new era of sculpture development and diverse forms. The use of composite materials, the emergence of finished sculptures, and soft sculptures have provided a vast space for innovation among sculptors. We can both draw inspiration from classical art and boldly innovate. As long as sculptors are good at discovering and utilizing, they can create new aesthetic concepts in sculpture art, deeply explore the artistic characteristics of materials, and inject new life and vitality into the development of sculpture art. For more information about the characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of stainless steel sculptures and fiberglass sculptures, please feel free to discuss and exchange ideas!
