The Sinuous Straight Line
Pablo Picasso once said "Art is a lie that
makes us realize the truth” (cited in Coles, R., Fornes, M. I., Hyde,
L., & Paton, J. (1994). Education the imagination). In
this case the lie is that curves are formed without the use of structure,
and the truth, that structure of the straight line underlays all
curvilinear forms.
The inspirations for The Sinuous Straight Line are 'Girl With
A Mandolin' by Pablo Picasso, which dates back to 1910, and the c. 1900
'Loie Fuller Lamp' by Francois-Raoul Larche. Both were chosen for their
contrasting elements, Picasso’s piece creates the image of a woman using
contrasting light, whereas Francois-Raoul Larche’s piece creates a curvilinear
female form by using line repetition. The Sinuous nature, heavy gilding
and a-symmetry of Larche's sculpture clearly portrays a French Rococo
design style as discussed in "Rococo: The Continuing Curve"
(Coffin, S. D., Davidson, G. S., Lupton, E. & Hunter-Stiebel, P. (2008).
Joining these two
contrasting ideas is the essence of The Sinuous Straight Line .
Elements from both precedents are combined to create flow, the space
between the lines are filled by the eye to create movement, and fluidity is
constructed using repetition of the straight line. The organic rococo
inspired theme is evident by the use of driftwood and the rustic feel the piece
portrays. The materials show contrast between the organic curvilinear form
and the straight lines rising from within. All elements work together to result
in the sinuous straight line.
References:
Coffin, S. D., Davidson, G. S., Lupton, E. & Hunter-Stiebel, P. (2008). Rococo: The Continuing Curve, 1730-2008. New York, USA: Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
"Art is a lie that makes us realize the truth" - Pablo Picasso, cited in Coles, R., Fornes, M. I., Hyde, L., & Paton, J. (1994). Education the imagination. Teachers and Writers Collaborative: USA.
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