CONTEXTUAL STUDIES.

Visual Analysis; Boccioni Vs Giacometti.


Boccioni’s piece, entitled ‘Unique Forms of Continuity in Space’ was created back in 1913, 37 years before ‘La Foret’ by Giacometti. Boccioni’s sculpture appears to represent the form of a man’s body in an abstracted way. The extra curves and added shaping suggest a muscular figure, with a sense of power and authority, emphasized then further through the bronze coating. The sculpture is very interesting to study and makes a bold statement. The stride of the figure gives a real sense of movement and strength. Each leg is positioned on top of its own individual podium, instead of the conventional use of a singular plinth, like stepping stones, which gives this piece a powerful sense of motion. The two winding shapes making up the legs combine flowing movement with solid muscular structure.


By comparison, La Foret consists of 7 tall, slim, vertical figures rather than 1 main, large figure. Giacometti has sculpted the people entirely differently to Boccioni, presenting them in such a way as to eliminate and disguise their identity. The figures are nothing more than elongated statues, facing forwards with faint representations of chests, shoulders and heads. Towards the back right hand side of the plinth behind the figures, the torso and head of a man emerges out of the floor as if the remaining part of his body is buried below. As with Boccioni’s sculpture, Giacometti has also used some form of bronze coating, however the way it has been applied is completely different with a rough, un-even surface further setting it apart from the other sculpture. The single plinth with its change in colour, its slight dip in the centre and textural surface seems integral to the piece rather than just as a support.


‘Unique Forms of Continuity in Space’ was originally cast in plaster, which is on display at the Musea de Arte Contemporanea, Sao Paulo, and not until after Boccioni’s death was it re-cast in bronze, for exhibiting at the Museum of Modern Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Tate Modern. The sculpting of this piece removes the arms and head, pinning the rest of the figure to the ground with blocks, yet seemingly the figure looks as if it is flying. It has clear flowing lines like fabric in fluid motion, emphasizing the concept of powerful movement.


Giacometti’s sculpture stands 23 inches high and was also created from plaster. The plaster has been applied in a much less controlled manner. The artist is using what may appear as imperfections on the surface of plaster to convey emotion and give the piece an un-easy, sad feeling. The group of figures, to me, seems to represent a forest like state, as if they are growing out of the ground beneath. Their legs are very rigid and closed; the plinth beneath them bending/dipping under the weight.


Overall, each piece of figurative sculpture represents something clear, whether that be in one case power, motion and strength and the other vulnerability and sorrow and both have an amazing initial impact on the viewer at a glance.


WORD COUNT: 514
NAME: GALI LUCAS
TUTOR: HAYLEY LOCK
CONTEXTUAL STUDIES