'Baby' 2000
1. Mueck's sculpture is described as 'hyper-real'. Define the meaning of this term and explain how it is evident in his work.
“Hyper-Realism” is an art movement which is an advancement of photorealism. It is when an art work has such amazing detail and rendering. So it tricks the conscious into defining what actual reality is. Mueck’s work works with hyper reality in the sense that his work is so detailed many who have seen them have question whether they are real or not. His sculptures are very life life-like; every detail can be seen from all angles from strands of hair down to the wrinkles of a new born and it can be equally appreciated for all the work that has gone into them.
'Baby' Detail
'Baby' in the "perfection" process
2. Mueck says he is not interested in making life size sculpture. Find out why he is more interested in working with the scale of the figure which is not life size, and mention 2 works which use scale that is either larger or smaller than life.
Mueck mentioned during an interview that he was “not interested” in doing life size sculptures because it is an everyday event, he is basically saying why create something that we see every day, when we never really par attention to detail anyway. It also falls upon a viewer’s psyche because of the emotions in which his sculptures portray. A lot of feelings whether it is on a small or large scale overwhelm us with such raw and even private situations.
'Untitled' (Big Man) 2000
nearly a seven foot sculture created in four weeks, working to a deadline
'Dead Man' 1996-97
2/3 of a lifesize sculpture of his father lying on his back.
nearly a seven foot sculture created in four weeks, working to a deadline
2/3 of a lifesize sculpture of his father lying on his back.
3. Define Renaissance Humanism, and identify which aspects of Humanism can be seen in Mueck's work. Note that the contemporary definition of Humanism is much broader than the Renaissance definition.
Renaissance Humanism is a movement around the time between the 15th to 17th centuries, it was when man has moved away from religious and metaphorical points of views and started to celebrate human culture, the human view and live the ideal human life rather than relying on spiritual guidance. Mueck’s works obviously have a connection with this movement. It can be noted with his attention to detail and the emotions in which these sculptures provoke. It is the reality of human existence and the proof we are human and this is life.
4. Research and discuss one of Mueck's sculptures that you might find challenging or exciting to experience in an art gallery. Describe the work, upload an image of the work, and explain your personal response to the work. Comment on other student blogs to develop the discussion around the variety of our own personal and individual responses to art and design.
'Spooning Couple' 2005 1/2 scale
His work ‘Spooning Couple’ I find it amazing, even on its small scale it still gives off this intimate and embarrassing situation you may face while in bed with your lover. The idea of no longer being connected to them, it’s a sad scene, no longer do they feel they want to embrace but it’s just become a duty; something you just do. As a viewer you are drawn to their faces, they seem upset, the women gazes down and the man looks as if he is taking a quick glimpse at us who are viewing. It is as if we are interrupting. It is unsettling in a sense though, it makes you think about how one day you too may also not connect with your lover, or even if you experience it now so what do you do? Continue like normal or do something about it. The everyday situation that we are or could be faced with has been put in front of us in such a realistic way it’s hard not to relate one’s own personal issues with it.
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Hi Kerryn, I love how Mueck's works are not life size don't you think? The human figure is in a way quite exaggerated but because of the size it becomes so much more interesting to see. I can imagine how the sculptures will overwhelm the viewers once we enter their space.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your opinion of the 'Spooning Couple'. Even though the woman and man seems to be together like any other couple, their gazes tells us that they are in their own separate worlds. The bird's eye view of the sculpture to me just adds more sadness and widens the gap between them even more. Like you said this sculpture is very unsettling.