Home  /  Back to disciplines  /  Request exam/desk copy  /  Purchase  /  View cart  /  Checkout

 

The Sculptural Idea

Fourth Edition

 

James J. Kelly

 

The Fourth Edition of James Kelly’s highly regarded text provides a wide-ranging discussion of the myriad approaches to contemporary sculpture illustrated with relevant, timely examples. The author highlights the growth and vitality of sculpture as a vehicle of and for ideas by exploring the diverse, complex, sometimes confusing sculptural involvements of the past several decades. The presentation covers history, evolution, basic tenets and principles, new technologies, extension of concepts, and experimentation, accompanied by abundant photographic images. Having evolved from three earlier, successful editions, the Fourth Edition remains an outstanding starting point for students of sculpture—whether aspiring artist, devotee, or collector—to become not only cognizant of what has preceded them but also attuned to the rhythms and pulse of their times and thus able to extend their ideas to create new sculptural realities. The author’s personal, philosophical approach will help readers gain insight and clarification of that which is the sculptural idea.
 

$39.95 list, 282 pages

10-digit ISBN: 1-57766-259-8

13-digit ISBN: 978-1-57766-259-4

© 2004

Quantity:

 

“The writing style is conversational and descriptive . . . a very accessible, readable introduction to sculptural ideas and practices.”  — Yvonne Singer, York University

 

“Superb variety of contemporary sculpture examples, especially well positioned on the page for comparison purposes. The art history background to sculpture is an excellent chronological and conceptual overview. A book for all serious students of sculpture.”  — Diane L. Buck, Columbia College

 

“This is the only text I have adopted in 10 years. It is quite current and comprehensive and an excellent balance between concept—processes—individual artistic search.”  — Bruce Sodervick, Rochester Institute of Technology

 

“This book just seems to be getting better with age . . . great overview plus specifics where needed.”  — Loretta S.W. Barnett, Colby-Sawyer College

 

“Exceptionally good book. Does a good job defining the tradition of sculpture and tying it into innovations of the twentieth century.”  — Michael DeRosa, Coffeyville Community College

 

Table of Contents

 

1. The Ambivalence of Sculpture: The Artist, the Critic, the Consumer, and the Consumed

 2. Sculpture as History: The Evolution of Forms

Transition / Classicism / Constructivism / Surrealism / Expressionism / Environmental Commentary / Dehumanization/Mechanization / Super Realism / Humanization/Process / Situational Reality

 3. Universal Form: The Search for Form of Consequence 

4. Matter: The Material of Sculpture

Physical Nature / Selection, Manipulation, Exploitation / Form of Matter / The Relation of Matter to Form 

5. Form: The Method of Sculpture

Structure / Technique / The Individual Sculptor 

6. Content: The Meaning of Sculpture

Matter, Form, and Content / The Will of the Sculptor / Communication of Meaning /  Relation of Sculptural Reality to Content

7. The New Technology and Beyond: Resources, Problems, and Potentials in Relation to the Sculptural Idea

Resources and Problems / Potentials / Natural Force, Systems, and Phenomena / Electronic Manipulation / Mechanization, Systems and Process / Chemical and Synthetic Material Usage / Humanity and Technology; Environment and Action/Reaction 

8. The Changing Role of the Sculptor: Stance, Direction, Force

 9. Materials and Their Characteristics

Clay / Stone / Metal / Plastics / Wood / Miscellaneous Information

 10. Techniques and Processes

Clay / Stone / Synthetic Stone / Metal Construction / Metal Casting / Plastics / Wood / Miscellaneous Material and Technique Information

 

Appendix A: Resource Information

Outline of Critical Thinking / Chemical and Physical Considerations / Checklist of Safety Procedures / Checklist of Grants-in-aid Assistance / Checklist of Graduate Work Considerations: Alternative Education Opportunities / Checklist of Survival Considerations: Resumes, Job Hunting, Related Work / Checklist of Exhibition Practices / Checklist of Business Considerations / Checklist of Legal Considerations / Checklist of Tax Considerations / Checklist of Local, Regional, and National Resources

 Appendix B: Abrasives, Glues, Metric Conversions