Clarification

This post is not directed to a new artist or movement in the text and is not expected to be discussed in class. This is simply a clarification for you, the reader, on what was already shared. After our Brancusi and Picasso class I was approached by a friend who encouraged me to expound on what I meant when I said, “There is no perfection.” Though the friend and I both understood that I meant “There is no perfection in this sinful world,” it was brought to my attention that I should clarify this point.

I definitely believe in perfection. This perfection is the One whom I base my entire life around. This One is my Heavenly Father, my Saviour, and my Lord. Because of our own faults as humans we are separated from this perfection and therefore live in an imperfect world. I rejected Him and am sinful. But, He loves me and is holy. He gives me a choice to be with Him again through the death of His Son as a payment for my rejection. I believe His Son, Jesus, is my Saviour, and that He rose from the dead as He claimed He would. Because of this payment, I believe I will one day experience perfection when I am in His presence for eternity.

I do believe in perfection. That is not to say nature or humans are perfect. God alone is perfect. But it is that same perfection found in Him that we cannot fully express in visual art. Because in the same way we cannot draw or paint the passage of time, no one can capture the perfection of God.

Brancusi Domain

Oh Constantin, how I admire you.

This fellow, the masterful Constantin Brancusi, introduced elegance and substance in his art via simple yet moving forms. His work, sculpture being his forte, captures perfection--from a human’s perspective anyway--with flow and grace. 

He did not create simple geometric forms. No. He created simple organic forms. Brancusi’s combination of lines and curves bring out the subject’s core identity. His straight edges claim, “I’m bold. I’m sharp. Dare to come any closer?” while his coils and loops announce, “I’m free. I’m fun.  Let us twirl together.” Combined, the piece has class and spunk, a balance that definitely gets my applause. 

I had the privilege to interact with Brancusi’s work in both the Museum of Modern Art (located in New York City) and The Art Institute of Chicago displays, as well as his permanent works in Tirgu Jiu, Romania--his and my home country. Viewing Bird in Space next to his The Cock, Blond Negress, II, Young Bird, and Endless Column established an image of pure form.  

Do you see the birds? How about that earthling’s face? 

The recognizable subjects are oh-so-subtle and obvious at the same time. They are clean. Pure. With detail comes imperfection.  Hence, detail is forgotten.  These sculptures are all erect and linear, giving off a poised feeling. They are important, and yet they lively extend that hand of friendship saying, “Let us experience life together.” This is the reaction Brancusi creates.

Alright, so Brancusi was an abstract artist, yes? Well, take a look at how his simplified ideas relate to other aspects of life in this video.

Like Pablo Picasso and Georges Barque, Brancusi’s work is defined by the perspective rather than the physical portrayal of the elements, as the text suggests.

Reader, it is time to examine a Brancusi work yourself. Depicted below is a sculpture piece on display in Chicago. What do you determine is the subject? (The title will be revealed on a later date.)

Remember, your conclusion is your own. Brancusi does not own that, he just provokes the idea.

For more of Brancusi's art click the play button below.

Till next time.