Physical sensations. A contemplative odyssey

Abstract

Physical Sensation. A contemplative Odyssey was a thesis exhibition comprised of figurative work that visually portrayed the psychological and physical impact of touch on the body. Unquestionably, more than with any other subject, creating figurative sculpture presents an individual with both the greatest variety in form and the biggest challenge in definition. For instance, in my experience a single naked body is rarely inspiring; it is merely a record of what some one looks like when they are naked. However, when characterizing the body in an overtly sexual situation a sculpture can evoke a whole range of emotions. The pairing of the figurative sculptures in this exhibition seeks to express what one desires, fears, or idolizes. That being the case, what should one make of an exhibition created by a male that consists of a half-dozen naked women with strong sexual content? It must be pornographic? Hopefully, the viewer's perception of this work is more than a quick genera1ization. The forms are intended to address the complex relationship between the need for physical touch and psychological manifestation that occurs to the body as a result The nudity and lack of faces was an attempt to reveal that the body alone is capable of communicating internal feelings. Thus, when looking at the world, an individual should not rely on his or her eyes alone. I believe an individuals perception of their surroundings is influenced by all the senses, which then produce emotional responses to what one truly observes. When creating a sculpture that touches its viewer's emotions, that sculpture has to be more than straightforward. The perception of the pieces in the exhibition is multifaceted: the deeper the viewer's contemplation the more complex it becomes.